Fittonia and Polka Dot Plant: Caring for Colourful Houseplants

Fittonia and the polka dot plant (hypoestes) are two small houseplants grown not for their flowers but for their patterned leaves. Fittonia's leaves look as if they've been drawn over with a net of white or pink veins, while hypoestes leaves are sprinkled with pink, red or white "freckles". Both belong to the acanthus family, get along well together and look great in arrangements and terrariums. Here's how to care for them and how they differ.

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Fittonia: the nerve plant

Fittonia (Fittonia albivenis) comes from the rainforests of South America — Peru, Colombia and Ecuador. It's a low, spreading plant 10–15 cm tall with oval leaves. The most common forms have white (silver) or pinkish-red veins, and some varieties have almost entirely pink leaves.

Fittonia care

• Light: bright indirect light or partial shade. Direct sun scorches the leaves.
• Watering: keep the soil slightly moist but never waterlogged. Fittonia dramatically "faints" when it dries out — the leaves collapse — but perks up within hours of watering. Don't let it happen often, as it weakens the plant.
• Humidity: high. Mist the leaves, stand the pot on a tray of wet pebbles or grow it in a terrarium, where it thrives.
• Temperature: 18–25 °C all year, away from draughts and cold windowsills.
• Soil and pot: loose all-purpose compost in a wide, shallow pot with drainage.
• Flowers: the small, insignificant flower spikes are best removed so the plant doesn't waste energy.

Over time fittonia gets leggy and bare at the base. Pinch out the tips and renew the plant from cuttings every 2–3 years — they root in water or moist compost in 2–3 weeks.

Fittonia varieties

• Argyroneura group: green leaves with white or silver veins.
• Verschaffeltii group: dark green leaves with red or pink veins.
• Mini fittonias (Nana): leaves only 2–3 cm, ideal for terrariums.
• Modern cultivars with almost entirely pink, red or white leaves and a thin green edge: the most demanding about humidity.

[photo: fittonias with white, pink and red veins side by side]

[photo: a mini fittonia in a glass terrarium]

Polka dot plant: freckled leaves

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The polka dot plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya) comes from Madagascar. Its green leaves are covered in pink, red or white spots, and modern varieties (such as the Splash and Confetti series) are almost solid pink with green veins. It can reach 30–50 cm but is usually kept compact indoors.

Polka dot plant care

• Light: bright indirect light is essential. In shade the spots fade and the plant gets leggy; harsh midday sun can scorch the leaves.
• Watering: regular, so the soil never dries out completely; less in winter.
• Humidity: medium to high; misting helps.
• Pinching: pinch out the tips regularly for a bushy, compact plant.
• Flowers: after flowering the plant often loses its looks and declines, so remove the buds.
• Feeding: every 2–3 weeks in spring and summer with a foliage-plant fertiliser.

Polka dot plants are fairly short-lived indoors — a few years — after which they're renewed from cuttings or grown again from seed, which germinates quickly and gives a range of colours.

Propagating fittonia and hypoestes

Both root easily from tip cuttings 5–8 cm long with 3–4 leaves: put them in water or moist, free-draining compost under a clear cover and roots appear in 2–3 weeks. Fittonia can also be divided when repotting, and its creeping stems root at the nodes. Hypoestes is easy from seed in spring: the seed is fine and should not be covered, and it germinates in 1–2 weeks.

Hypoestes in garden beds

Hypoestes is increasingly planted in beds and outdoor containers as an annual for splashes of pink or white among greenery. Plant it after the spring frosts in partial shade or morning sun, in loose fertile soil, and water regularly. In autumn, before temperatures drop below +10 °C, pot up the best plants and bring them indoors or take cuttings.

[photo: hypoestes in a partly shaded flower bed]

Growing fittonia and polka dot plant together

Both love warmth, indirect light and humidity, so they share a container happily. A classic combination is a pink polka dot plant in the centre with white- and red-veined fittonias around the edge. They're favourites for terrariums and mini gardens. For more on choosing companions, see our guide to combining houseplants in one pot.

Common problems

• Crispy leaf edges — air too dry or soil drying out.
• Stems rotting at the base — overwatering and cold.
• Leggy growth, faded spots — not enough light.
• Webbing and pale speckles on leaves — spider mites; raise humidity and treat with a miticide.

Both plants are considered non-toxic to cats and dogs, which makes them handy in homes with pets. For more windowsill ideas, see our guide to types of African violets and our potted plants.

FAQ

Why has my fittonia suddenly collapsed?

Most likely the soil dried out. Water it and the leaves will lift within hours. If the soil is wet, root rot may be the cause.

Can fittonia and polka dot plant be planted together?

Yes, they have similar needs for light, warmth and humidity.

How do I make a polka dot plant more colourful?

Give it more bright indirect light and avoid too much nitrogen.

Author: Maria Svitlovir

Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.

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