Hypoestes phyllostachya Hippo White - Polka Dot Plant

Hypoestes 'Hippo White', with its intensely white-splashed foliage on a dark green background, is the brightest of the 'freckled plants' from the new 'Hippo' series. Vigorous, it tolerates heat and even sunlight, making it suitable for patios or balconies during the summer. Usually grown indoors for its splendid multicoloured foliage, Hypoestes phyllostachya is a tender tropical plant that also thrives as a beautiful annual bedding plant in our climate, given enough warmth. Easy to grow in good potting soil, the 'Hippo' Hypoestes will flourish in shade, partial shade, or even in full sun, in containers, pots, tubs, and hanging baskets.

Hypoestes are plants related to Acanthus, belonging to the Acanthaceae family. The most commonly cultivated is Hypoestes phyllostachya from Madagascar, which is a popular indoor plant. Horticulture has produced numerous hybrids, including those from the new 'Hippo' series, selected for their vigour and ornamental qualities. Being tropical plants, they grow best at temperatures above 16°C (60.8°F), in soil kept moist in spring and summer, and drier in autumn and winter.

Hypoestes 'Hippo White' forms branching clumps reaching up to 80cm (32in) in all directions in one season. The stems bear triangular leaves of larger size, wider than those of usual varieties. Their lamina is heavily splashed with bright white on a dark green background. The flowering occurs on mature plants, in late summer or autumn in our climate. The small pink flowers in clusters are rather inconspicuous, somewhat resembling those of scented pelargoniums.

Hypoestes 'Hippo', with their sumptuously coloured foliage, are irreplaceable for enlivening any setting...in the garden as well as indoors, where they can live for several years. While they tolerate sunny exposures well, they appreciate partial shade, which can be found at the edge of a bed of tall perennials or bushes, or even in a shady rock garden, facing east, away from the harsh summer sun. They can be used to create colourful mosaic beds, for example with Coleus, and they pair well with begonias and impatiens in flower pots. They can also be planted at the base of taller conservatory plants (Orange tree, Mimosa, Banana tree, Oleander, Bougainvillea).

Note: Please be aware that our young plug plants are professional products intended for experienced gardeners. Upon receipt, repot and store them under cover (veranda, greenhouse, cold frame...) at a temperature above 16°C (60.8°F) for a few weeks before placing them outdoors once the risk of frost has passed.