Polka Dot Terrarium Plant - Live Indoor Plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya)

Add a vibrant splash of colour to your terrarium or indoor plant collection with the Polka Dot Plant. Known for its distinctive spotted leaves in shades of pink, red, or white, this tropical plant creates a playful contrast against green foliage plants.

Hypoestes phyllostachya is native to Madagascar and is loved for its bright, patterned leaves that bring colour and texture to terrariums and indoor plant displays.

Because it enjoys warm, humid environments and indirect light, it thrives in closed terrariums where humidity levels remain stable.

Useful Information

Plant name: Polka Dot Plant
Botanical name: Hypoestes phyllostachya
Other names: Freckle Face, Measles Plant
Origin: Madagascar
Pot size: 7 cm nursery pot
Terrarium suitability: Excellent for closed terrariums
Pet safety: Generally considered non-toxic, but not intended for consumption

Why You’ll Love This Plant

• Beautiful colourful foliage with distinctive spotted patterns
• Adds vibrant contrast to terrariums and plant displays
• Thrives in humid environments such as closed terrariums or bright bathrooms
• Easy to propagate from stem cuttings
• Arrives in a nursery pot with care instructions
• Carefully wrapped using eco-friendly paper packaging - never plastic

Care Instructions

Light: Bright, indirect light
Water: Keep soil lightly moist but not waterlogged
Humidity: Thrives in humid environments such as terrariums
Position: Avoid direct sunlight, which may fade the leaf colour
Pruning: Regular pruning encourages bushier growth and prevents the plant from becoming “leggy”

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this plant suitable for closed terrariums?
Yes - Polka Dot Plants enjoy warm, humid environments and are commonly used in closed terrariums and bottle gardens.

Why are the leaves spotted?
The plant naturally produces leaves with colourful speckles or “polka dots,” which can appear in shades of pink, red, or white depending on the variety.

How big will this plant grow?
Polka Dot Plants typically grow up to around 30 cm tall in ideal conditions, although they usually stay smaller when grown in terrariums.

Postage & Packaging

All plant orders are dispatched Monday to Thursday. Postage starts from £3.99 via Royal Mail Tracked 48, with free delivery on orders over £45. Once your order is ready to be sent, you will receive a dispatch confirmation email from Leaves and Prickles, followed by delivery updates from Royal Mail via email.

All orders are carefully packaged using paper-based or biodegradable materials - never plastic.

Don’t forget to check out the Choose Your Own 3 Plant Bundle or 5 Plant Bundle and save with multibuy.