Terrarium Creations
Plant Library

Polka Dot Plant

Hypoestes phyllostachya

Family: Acanthaceae

Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya)

Photo via Wikimedia Commons.

Difficulty
Easy
Light
Bright, indirect
Water
Evenly moist
Humidity
High
Size
15โ€“25 cm
Closed terrarium
Excellent

The Polka Dot Plant brings rare colour to a terrarium, its green leaves freckled and splashed with pink, red or white. It's cheerful, fast-growing and easy to please.

Light

Bright, indirect light brings out the boldest colour; in low light the markings fade and the plant stretches.

Water & humidity

Keep evenly moist โ€” it wilts quickly when dry but recovers fast once watered.

In the terrarium

A great pop of colour for closed terrariums. It grows quickly and gets leggy, so pinch the tips regularly to keep it bushy and compact.

Tip: Pinch out flower spikes when they appear โ€” flowering signals the plant to decline, and removing them keeps it lush for longer.

Common problems

  • Faded, mostly-green leaves = needs more light.
  • Leggy, sparse growth = pinch the tips to force branching.
Recommended for your terrarium
Hand-picked Amazon products for this guide โ€” at no extra cost to you.

Frequently asked questions

Are Polka Dot Plants good for terrariums?

Yes โ€” their love of humidity and vivid colour make them a favourite terrarium accent, though they need regular pinching to stay compact.

Why is my Polka Dot Plant losing its colour?

Not enough light. Move it to a brighter (but still indirect) spot to restore the pink and red markings.

Care information is a general guide; conditions vary. Some links on this site are affiliate links that help support Terrarium Creations.