Splash White Polka Dot Plant

Splash White Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya 'Splash White') is a bushy, sprawling tropical evergreen about 40cm tall and wide, with oval leaves that are clean white splashed in green. It lifts dark corners in a way few plants can. Grow it in a shaded pot, a bright room or beneath taller tropical plants.

Why you'll love it

• Clean white foliage. White leaves with darkest green freckling brighten a dim corner and look crisp beside deep green plants.
• Neat and compact. About 40cm by 40cm, so it fits a pot, a tabletop or a gap in a border.
• Made for shade. Indirect light and a shady spot suit it, and shade helps the leaves hold their markings.
• Spreads to fill space. Outdoors in a tropical garden it sprawls and spreads, and indoors you can keep it small.
• Easy seasonal colour. In frost-prone gardens it is a good bedding plant for the warm months.

Where it works best

Shady garden corners. Plant 30cm apart under trees or along a shaded path for a bright carpet. It pairs well with deep green plants and dark mulch.

Containers and patios. Grow in a pot at least 20cm wide in indirect light, either alone or beside green-leaved plants.

Terrariums and indoor displays. Its small size and humid air preference make it a good fit for terrariums and a well lit room.

Growing Splash White Polka Dot Plant in Australia

Position and climate. Filtered light, a shady spot and humid air are ideal. Outdoors it is a year-round plant in tropical and subtropical gardens, and in cooler or frosty places it works as seasonal bedding or an indoor plant.

Soil. Free draining soil or quality potting mix, kept lightly moist. Shade helps the white leaf hold its markings.

Water and feed. Water regularly for the first 12 weeks, then only if the soil feels dry. Feed once a year with slow release fertiliser, plus liquid feed through the growing season.

Pruning. Take off old leaves for a quick tidy. Leggy plants need more light, or the tips nipped out. Wash your hands afterwards, because the sap can irritate some skins.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Splash White 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. It arrives small and fills out through the warm months. Keep it out of direct sun and away from cold draughts while it settles.

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

• Indoor plants for bright rooms
• Tropical plants
• Fittonias for patterned leaves
• How to keep indoor plants alive

Common questions

Does it come back every year?

In tropical and subtropical gardens it lives on as a perennial. In colder gardens frost will kill it, so grow it as summer bedding or bring a potted plant indoors.

Can I grow it indoors?

Yes. Choose a well lit room out of direct sun and keep the potting mix lightly moist. Give it more light if it becomes leggy.

Is the sap harmful?

The sap can irritate some skins, so wash your hands after pruning. It is not listed as toxic to cats and dogs.