About
A compact, tender evergreen sub-shrub, with thin, oval-shaped dark green leaves heavily splashed with pink. Upright spikes of small, 2-lipped tubular magenta flowers are sometimes produced in summer.
About the genus
Hypoestes are tender evergreen perennials, subshrubs or shrubs, with simple leaves, often attractively coloured or patterned. Plants sometimes produce 2-lipped tubular flowers, but are more often grown for their foliage
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeLoam
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1B
Plant details
Plant typeHouseplants, Conservatory Greenhouse
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesHouseplants, Sub-tropical
Care notes
CultivationGrow indoors in peat-free, loam-based potting compost in bright, filtered light, with moderate to high humidity. Water freely in growth and sparingly in winter. Apply a balanced liquid fertiliser every 2-3 weeks in summer. See Hypoestes for further advice. An ideal plant for terrariums and bottle gardens
PruningNo pruning required. Pinch out the growing tips to promote a bushy habit
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings in late spring, or semi-ripe cuttings in summer
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to powdery mildews