Splash Pink Polka Dot Plant

Splash Pink Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya 'Splash Pink') is a bushy, sprawling little tropical evergreen about 40cm tall and wide. Its oval leaves are cool pink, freckled with dark green along the ribs. It is a favourite for terrariums, tabletop displays and shaded containers, and a bright underplanting in warm gardens.

Why you'll love it

• Freckled cool-pink foliage. Pastel pink leaves with dark green spots give colour all year without needing flowers.
• Small enough to display. At 40cm by 40cm it suits terrariums, tabletops and pots, and can be kept tight indoors.
• Brightens shade. It thrives in a shady spot with indirect light, where few bright-leaved plants will perform.
• Flexible in warm gardens. It sprawls and spreads under tropical plantings, filling gaps with colour.
• Seasonal colour where frost bites. In frosty gardens it makes excellent seasonal bedding.

Where it works best

Terrariums and tabletops. Its compact size and bright leaves suit glass containers and small indoor displays. Pinch out the tips to keep it small and bushy.

Shaded patios and indoor rooms. Grow it in a pot in a bright room or on a shaded patio, out of direct sun.

Underplanting tropical gardens. Plant 30cm apart for a dense carpet of pink beneath palms, gingers and other tropical plants.

Growing Splash Pink Polka Dot Plant in Australia

Position and climate. Indirect light and humid air keep it happiest. Outdoors it behaves as a perennial in tropical and subtropical gardens, as seasonal colour in warm temperate ones, and as a potted plant to bring inside where frost is a risk.

Soil. Use free draining garden soil or a quality potting mix. Light shade keeps the pink strong.

Water and feed. Keep it moist for its first 12 weeks, then water only once the top of the soil dries. Add slow release fertiliser each year and a liquid feed each season for richer colour.

Pruning. Pick off tired leaves to keep it neat. A leggy plant needs brighter light, and nipping out the tips makes it bush up. Wash your hands afterwards, since the sap can irritate some skins.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Splash Pink Polka Dot Plant as tube stock only. Tube stock is a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly once potted on or planted out. Expect it to fill out in the first season in a warm, shaded spot. Pot it on or plant it out within a few days of arrival, and keep it away from cold draughts.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Fittonias, a matching colourful leaf plant
• More indoor plants
• Tropical plants for warm gardens
• Indoor plant tips for beginners

Common questions

Can it grow in a terrarium?

Yes. It likes humid air and indirect light, and you can pinch out the tips to keep it small. Open the lid for ventilation so it does not stay waterlogged.

Why is mine going leggy?

Usually too little light. Move it to a brighter spot out of direct sun, and pinch out the growing tips to encourage bushier growth.

Is it safe around cats and dogs?

It is not listed as toxic to cats and dogs. The sap can irritate some people's skin, so wash your hands after handling.