Polka-dot plant thrives in mild weather

GANNETT NEWS SERVICE

Originally published Saturday, February 23, 2002

The charming houseplant, Hypoestes phyllostachya, has pink dots on its dark green foliage resembling polka dots, thus its popular name. It also is known as freckle face, once again for its spotting leaves. Hybrids with white or red spots also have been developed.

While long used as a novelty plant in dish or indoor container gardens, the polka dot is now finding its way into the annual plant border because it provides color even in partial shade.

The polka-dot plant is one of 40 species in the acanthus family, a group of woody-based evergreen perennials, subshrubs and shrubs from South Africa, Madagascar and Southeast Asia.

With such a background it is understandable that the plant needs bright light to keep its color and prefers a humid environment. Ideal temperatures are between 60 and 85 degrees, and it cannot withstand anything lower than 59 degrees. The polka dot can go outdoors in the summer but cannot take full sun during the hottest time of the year.

The Olympian Copyright 2002

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