Polka dot plant

Hypoestes phyllostachya

Pet & Human Safety

People: No hazard foundPets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them

Hazardous parts

Not yet checked.

Preparation

Not yet checked.

Hazard type

Not yet checked.

Hazard route

Not stated by the cited source(s).

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Toxic to pets

No ASPCA entry found.

Not assessed for pets. A single source, or an ASPCA page plus a bare NC State tag, is not enough to show a plant is safe, so the app makes no pet-safety claim either way.

PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.

Look-alike warning

Could be mistaken for Plants that share its name. To tell them apart: NC State lists "baby's tears" as a common name here, but that name also means Soleirolia soleirolii. Always check the scientific name..

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

Get the app: coming soon

Care

Hardiness zones: USDA zones 10a to 11b (NC State); grown as an annual elsewhere.
Water needs: moderate
Mature size: Height 1 to 2 ft, width 9 in to 1 ft (NC State).
Family: Acanthaceae (NC State)
Where it comes from: Madagascar (NC State).

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

Get the app: coming soon