Genus of 40 species of woody-based, evergreen perennials, subshrubs, and shrubs from open woodland in South Africa, Madagascar, and S.E. Asia. Hypoestes is grown for its spotted leaves. This plant needs some direct sunshine - in a shady site the foliage will be all-green. Young plants make attractive small bushes - prune regularly to keep them 1-1,5 ft high. The lavender flowers are not attractive - cut stems when flowers appears. Reduce watering until new growth starts to provide rest peroid.