Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Pink Variegated | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Purple Pink | Green Pink Variegated | ||
| Autumn | Green Pink Variegated | |||
| Winter | Green Pink Variegated |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H1BBotanical details
- Family
- Acanthaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- 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
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow 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
Propagation
Propagate by softwood cuttings in late spring, or semi-ripe cuttings in summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Houseplants
- Sub-tropical
- Conservatory and greenhouse
Pruning
No pruning required. Pinch out the growing tips to promote a bushy habit
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
May be susceptible to powdery mildews
Get involved
The RHS is the UK’s gardening charity, helping people and plants to grow - nurturing a healthier, happier world, one person and one plant at a time.
