Hypoestes
Hypoestes (lat. Hypoestes) is an ornamental foliage plant belonging to the Acanthaceae family.
Description
Hypoestes is a spectacular herbaceous plant, subshrub or shrub with pointed, opposite, ovoid leaves. The length of these leaflets usually ranges from seven to ten centimeters. Their edges can be either smooth or jagged, near the very bases the leaves smoothly taper into petioles, in addition, all leaves are covered with bizarre patterns of spots of different sizes and shapes. The main background of hypoestes leaves is usually deep purple or green, and pink, yellow or white strokes and dots are generously scattered across this background.
Hypoestes flowers are usually collected in spectacular semi-umbrellas or heads, and at the base of the bracts fused together in the form of blankets there are small flowers: one, two or three pieces.
In total, this genus has about one and a half hundred species.
Where does it grow
The main growth area of hypoestes is the tropical regions of the island of Madagascar or Africa.
Usage
Hypoestes is grown primarily as an indoor ornamental plant, however, only bright and fairly warm rooms are suitable for its cultivation. This green pet not only helps create a comfortable and aesthetically pleasing environment, but also boasts minor phytoncidal activity. And it also has a powerful aesthetic therapeutic effect on the body!
Sometimes hypoestes is cultivated as a ground cover plant. However, it is quite acceptable to plant it in containers.
Growing and care
Hypoestes is very unpretentious, but throughout the year it requires moderate watering and bright light (without direct sunlight). If the lighting is insufficient, the plant stems will become very elongated and the leaves will noticeably turn pale. When watering, it is very important not to allow the earthen clod to dry out; ideally, hypoestes should be watered with water with a low lime content. As for soils, this plant does not have any special requirements for them. However, hypoestes will feel best in a soil mixture formed by turf (two parts) and leaf soil (also two parts) in combination with sand (one part).
At the stage of active growth, hypoestes is fertilized approximately once every two weeks, and in winter the frequency of fertilizing is reduced to once a month. Also, in winter, the plant is kept at a temperature of seventeen to nineteen degrees (as for summer temperatures, in this case the most optimal temperature range will be from twenty-two to twenty-five degrees). It is also important to know that hypoesthes is afraid of too sudden temperature changes and drafts, and it also does not tolerate proximity to various heating devices.
If before spring awakening it turns out that the plant has grown too much, it is necessary to prune it. Young plants should be pinched regularly to stimulate their branching. Hypoestes need to be replanted every spring.
Hypoestes is propagated either by apical cuttings or seeds. The soil temperature should be in the range from twenty-five to thirty degrees. And cuttings from mother plants are usually cut either in summer or spring. As a rule, it takes up to eight to nine weeks for the plant to take root.
Of the pests, hypoestes is most often damaged by whiteflies or aphids. And with a nutritional deficiency or excess dampness, the edges of the leaves may turn black. If the soil is too cold, the roots of the plant may begin to rot.
