The polka dot plant is a native of South Africa, East Asia and Madagascar.
It is an evergreen shrub. As a member of the Hypoestes family, it’s an interesting find. Hypoestes Phyllostachya is the botanical name for this plant.
The polka dot plant and the freckled face plant are two more names for this plant.
Madagascar is the origin of this plant. It is a matter of fact. A typical polka dot plant has a pink base and green specks on its leaves.
Several spotty or mottled variants come in various hues.
10 Plants With Dots
1. Carmina
In USDA zone 10, this perennial plant grows well. In the family Acanthaceae, it is found. This cultivar prefers temperatures between 30 and 35 degrees Fahrenheit to flourish.
Stem cuttings are the ideal approach for cultivating this cultivar because of its distinctive leaves color. It uses an average amount of water.
Overwatering can kill a plant, so take care not to let it become too wet. This cultivar does well to flourish in either full sun or light shade.
It’s grown mostly for its textured and veined leaves. In addition, the height range of this type is 12 to 36 inches.
Therefore, it is best grown in pots, and the spacing is between 12 and 15 inches.
Mid-summer, late summer, or early fall are the best times of year for this cultivar to bloom. This plant thrives best on soils with a pH range of 5.1 to 6.
As a result, the soil’s acidity can range from extremely acidic to barely acidic. This plant is claimed to grow in Castro Valley and Elk Grove, California.
2. Confetti
This cultivar is smaller in stature, growing to a height of 12 to 24 inches and a spread of 12 to 18 inches.
Compared to other plants, they grow quickly and come in a wider range of hues, including white, red, pink, and rose.
Dappled shade and full sun are both good conditions for this cultivar.
It loves slightly acidic or neutral soil, with a pH of between 6.1 and 7.3, and mesic water conditions.
USDA zones 10 and 11 are suitable for this plant.
This variety’s foliage is a strange shade of green, and the lavender-colored blooms are hardly noticeable.
The flower is less than 1 inch in diameter and often blooms in late spring, early summer, or early summer.
This plant is mostly used as a houseplant, although it may also be used as a ground cover and annual.
In addition, it can withstand both dampness and dryness. Stem cuttings are the best way to grow this cultivar. The spotting is more evenly distributed than on the other variants of this type.
Here is an article I wrote on plants with exposed roots
3. Pink Brocade
This cultivar features mottled pink streaks on the plant’s green leaves.
Rapid expansion results in a height of6 to 12 inches. Its width expands from 6 to 12 inches, mimicking its height.
Some of this variety’s plants may reach a height of two feet under the proper growth circumstances, including adequate light and good soil.
The leaves are quite hairy and tightly arranged, growing between 1.5 and 2.5 inches.
Unlike the other variations, this one has more spots than the rest. Therefore, sunlight is required for its proper growth.
This plant thrives best in fertile, slightly acidic or neutral soil. There are no pest issues with it.
This plant features a variety of colors splattered on its green background. In addition, the leaves of this variety of polka dot plants have been splattered with the other main colors.
4. Red splash
This type reaches a height of 12 inches and has a similar spread.
It is a hardy annual plant that belongs to the polka dot splash series.’ This polka dot plant species features crimson, pointed leaves covered in dark green dots all year.
This variety’s blooms and fruit are not particularly beautiful, and the plant is mostly kept for its leaves.
It forms a mound and has a medium texture that blends with the landscape.
It’s a low-maintenance plant that requires little trimming. Pruning is only necessary for a few instances where dieback must be eradicated.
Additionally, this plant is deer resistant and lacks any noticeable negative qualities.
It is frequently used for mass planting, boundary edging, general garden usage, ground cover, hanging baskets, and container gardening.
This plant thrives in both full sun and light shade. It thrives on ordinary to equally wet soils. However, caution should be exercised to avoid overwatering.
Standing water can cause decay on this plant. This cultivar thrives in polluted metropolitan areas and inner-city surroundings.
Cuttings are the most effective method of propagation. It is a rare cultivar that originated outside of North America.
5. White splash
The primary hue is white, splotched throughout the plant’s green patterns.
This type reaches a height of roughly 12 inches and a spread of approximately 12 inches. It thrives in both full sun and moderate shade and is a member of the Splash Select Series.
It is identified by its pointed leaves that are white with green dots. Unfortunately, this variety’s blossoms and fruit are not particularly beautiful.
It has a mounded growth habit, and its leaves have a medium texture that fits nicely in the garden and may be balanced by coarser plants.
Additionally, this is a low-maintenance plant that requires minimal trimming. It is resistant to deer and drought.
It is ideal for bulk planting, boundary edging, general garden usage, ground cover, container gardening, and hanging baskets.
It thrives in ordinary to equally wet soils; however, great care should be given not to overwater this species of polka dot plants since standing water, like its red splash cousin, might cause it to decay.
It possesses no discernible negative qualities.
Also check out this article I wrote on plants with circular leaves
6. Purpariana
The leaves on this polka dot plant have a lovely purple tint.
Overwatering might cause the plant to wither, so choose well-draining, nutritious soil.
Keep it near a strong light source that receives 4-5 hours of direct sunlight for optimal development.
7. Red-dot
This polka dot plant stands out because of the red dots on its green foliage.
It is preferable to pot these plants rather than grow them on the ground since it is easier to mould them into the desired shape.
8. Pink-dot Plant
The pink dots on this polka dot are scattered throughout the plant. This species prefers organic soil since it has all of its nutrients to thrive and develop.
9. Polka Dot White-dot
Compared to other plants, this one lacks a certain oomph. The green leaves of the shrub are speckled with white.
As a result, it doesn’t have the same visual appeal as other plants. To retain the leaves’ vibrant hues, wipe them off with a damp cloth.
Conclusion
The color specification of the plant type typically dictates the choice of the Polka dot. However, your polka dot plant’s color and distinctiveness might help you decide which one to buy.
Houseplants with Polka dots are easy to care for and don’t require a lot of resources to thrive, regardless of the kind.
You’ll be amazed at the beauty of Polka dot plants when they bloom. In addition, polka dots can be cultivated with other home plants to enhance the plant’s beauty further.
