Hippo White Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya 'Hippo White')
Hypoestes phyllostachya 'Hippo White'

Evergreen Perennial (usually grown as an annual near you) Upright, Mounding in the Acanthaceae Family
A patented Hippo-series selection prized for its bold dark green and white speckled foliage.

Hypoestes phyllostachya 'Hippo White' is a patented Polka Dot Plant selection (US Plant Patent PP30,505), bred by Michael S. Uchneat for Garden Genetics LLC. Its dark green leaves are prominently marked with white speckling, and the patent notes it is more vigorous and less compact than the related seed-grown 'Splash Select White', with better tolerance for bright light than the species type.

Like the species, its small lilac flowers are inconspicuous and usually pinched off so the plant's energy stays in its foliage. Not winter hardy in the Chicago area -- grown here as a colorful annual or houseplant.

Pros

  • Patent-documented tolerance for brighter light than most Polka Dot Plants
  • Bold dark green and white speckled foliage
  • More vigorous than the similar seed-grown Splash Select White
  • Easy to propagate from cuttings

Cons

  • Not winter hardy; killed by first frost
  • Flowers are inconspicuous and usually removed
  • Can fade or green up in deep shade
  • Prone to mealybugs and aphids indoors
This plant is probably not winter-hardy outdoors where you live.
Highlights olorful and fun foliage Award Winner Heat Tolerant Deadheading Not Necessary
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 16 - 22 inches tall. 8 - 14 inches wide.
Growth Rate Fast
Sun Exposure Full Shade - Partial Sun
Moisture Tolerance Medium : Prefers consistently moist soil; dislikes being allowed to dry out between waterings.
Zones 10a - 11b (Usually hardy to 30° F)
Tags Annual in Chicago, Colorful Foliage, Container, Evergreen, For a Shady Spot, Full Shade, Grown as Annuals, Grown For Attractive Foliage, House Plants, Insignificant Flowers, Medium, Non-Allergenic, Partial Shade, Partial Sun, Perennial, Proven Winner Selection, Shade Tolerant, Tender Perennial, Tropical
Bloom Period Insignificant; often pinched off
Flower Color Lilac to Pale Purple
Foliage Color Dark Green with White Speckles
 

Most Popular Plants

Commonly Planted with...

Pairs well in shaded beds and containers with other colorful shade-foliage plants, including Coleus, Begonias, Caladiums, and Impatiens.

Photos of This with...

Hippo White Polka Dot Plant, Lemon Coral Stonecrop, Catalina Midnight Blue Wishbone Flower, Angelface Steel Blue Summer Snapdragon, Asparagus Fern, Double Delight Primrose Begonia, Proven Accents Pegasus Begonia, Jurassic Cherry Spike Rex Begonia, Sunset Pink Elephant Ear, Superbells Plum Calibrachoa, Superbells Rising Star Calibrachoa, Superbells White Calibrachoa, Prince Tut Papyrus, Burning Bush, Bella Evita Fuchsia, Gartenmeister Upright Fuchsia, English Ivy, Proven Accents Yellow Ripple Ivy, Hippo Pink Polka Dot Plant, Sunpatiens Compact Blush Pink Impatiens, Sweet Caroline Kiwi Sweet Potato Vine, Sweet Caroline Sweetheart Lime Sweet Potato, Fiber Optic Grass, Beth's Blue Star Flower, Goldilocks Creeping Jenny, Creeping Wire Vine, Dwarf Creeping Wire Vine, Charmed Wine Shamrock, Supertunia Vista Bubblegum Petunia, ColorBlaze Chocolate Drop Coleus, ColorBlaze Torchlight Coleus, Colorblaze Golden Dreams Coleus, North Pole American Arborvitae, Catalina Gilded Grape Wishbone Flower,
 
Want More photos of this plant? Try Google Image Search!
 


Pricing and Availability History

Click a label to toggle visibility for that size

Past Availability
2025 : 02/05 - 05/17
2024 : 02/08 - 06/02
2023 : 03/02 - 07/08

© North Shore Plant Club 2026. Privacy Policy, Terms & Conditions.

Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


Estimated Recipe Cost

The cost of this recipe's ingredients will vary depending on the season and the sizes and varieties you select.


Benefits of Membership

Want a better way to get great plants and make your yard look awesome? Create your account below and get:

  • The best plants… from the same sources the pros use, but at near wholesale prices
  • More plants in more sizes than anywhere else… whether you’re looking for classics or rarities; annuals, perennials or shrubs; one plant or a whole yardful!
  • "No Contact" delivery or easy pick-up at a site near you without fighting the retail crowds. You choose!

Membership is free, but — since we rely on delivery and local pick-up — you have to live near one of our hubs (or be willing to drive to a site to pick them up). If you live farther away, and would like to help us bring the club to your neighbors, please email helpusgrow@northshoreplantclub.com.

Already a member?
Login
No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!