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Polka dot plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya)

Description

Hypoestes phyllostachya is cultivated as an ornamental plant commonly used as a houseplant but can also be grown outside as an annual plant. The most common type has green leaves with pink spots, although it can range from white to any shade of pink to red. The spots on the undersides of the leaves are far lighter in color, often white. It may produce small, solitary pink/purple flowers at the nodes that slightly resemble bee balm. Many different cultivars have been created with different foliage colors. This plant will not grow well in temperatures below 60F/16C, and does best in partial sun.

Taxonomic tree

  • Domain: Eukarya

    • Kingdom: Plantae

      • Phylum: Magnoliophyta

        • Class: Magnoliopsida

          • Order: Lamiales

            • Family: Acanthaceae

              • Genus: Hypoestes