An interesting bit of polka dot plant info is that the plant was miscategorized for years. It is now recognized as a member of the Hyphoestes group of over 100 plants. Polka dot plants are from Madagascar. They are perennial herbaceous shrubs whose stems get woody as they age.
The plant will give you the best color when it is in a low light situation, but this causes the canes to lengthen and get leggy while searching for light. Indirect bright sunlight is the ideal location for this plant indoors. Provide temperatures of at least 60 F. (16 C.). Growing a polka dot plant outside requires well-drained but moist soil with plenty of organic matter. Outdoor plants need little supplemental feeding but indoor plants should be fed once per month. Older plants tend to get leggy, but you can control legginess by cutting the canes back to lower growth and letting the plant fill in.