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HypoestesFamily: Acantaceae.
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Common name(s): Polka-dot-plant |
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Genus of 40 species of woody-based, evergreen perennials, subshrubs, and shrubs from open woodland in South Africa, Madagascar, and S.E. Asia. Hypoestes is grown for its spotted leaves. This plant needs some direct sunshine - in a shady site the foliage will be all-green. Young plants make attractive small bushes - prune regularly to keep them 1-1,5 ft high. The lavender flowers are not attractive - cut stems when flowers appears. Reduce watering until new growth starts to provide rest peroid. |
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| Growing conditions |
Watering and misting |
Propagation |
| Average warmth in summer - minimum 55 F in winter.Brightly lit spot. Keep well away from direct sunlight. |
Keep compost moist at all times but never waterlogged. Reduce watering in winter. Use soft, tepid water. Misting is necessary. |
Sow seed at 59-64 F (15-18 C) in spring. Root softwood or tip cuttings in late spring, or semi-ripe cuttings in summer. |
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Hypoestes phyllostachys |
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Sunshrub with ovate, downy, dark green leaves, spotted with pink, 2in (5cm) long. Tiny, magenta or lilac flowers, are not attractive. |
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Users' comments:
Hillary
Ontario, Canada
20th Jul 2007
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I was surprised when my plant flowered & just as surprised when it seemingly died shortly after. Being lazy, I merely left it in the window & watered it when watering its neighbours. Eventually I cut it back to the soil & was amazed when it came back from the great beyond; it is now a lush new plant! |
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