Polka dot plant
Hypoestes phyllostachya (Acanthaceae)
Also called Pink Polka Dot Plant, Measles Plant, Baby’s Tears, Freckle Face.
Cats and dogs
Non-toxic to cats and dogs
Not expected to poison cats or dogs. Eating any plant can still cause vomiting or an upset stomach, so keep it out of reach of chewers.
Source: ASPCA entry "Polka Dot Plant", checked October 3, 2026.
Light
- Low light 3+ mol
- Medium light 6+ mol Copes
- Bright indirect 10+ mol Best
- Direct sun 12+ mol
Bright, filtered light gives the best leaf color. It tolerates some direct sun, but too much makes the leaves curl, and in low light the color fades and the plant gets leggy.
Direct sun: a little gentle morning sun is fine.
On our scale it grows well from about 10 mol/m²/day and holds on down to roughly 1.1 (how these numbers are set).
Care
Care level: Moderate. Water: Water well while it is actively growing and let the soil dry slightly between waterings.
Pinch back leggy stems to keep it bushy; it also grows under artificial light.
More pet-safe plants for similar light
- African violet bright indirect light
- Boston fern bright indirect light
- Cape primrose (Streptocarpus) bright indirect light
- Christmas cactus bright indirect light
- Earth star (Cryptanthus) bright indirect light
- Friendship plant (Pilea involucrata) bright indirect light