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 Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.