Hemigraphis Alternata: Snow White Waffle Plant Care & Varieties

While the name is snow white, the colorations of this plant are rather mixtures of a few bright colors. A snow white waffle plant is an extraordinary indoor houseplant with green, purple, and white leaves with a metallic tint. Another special thing about this plant is the texture of its foliage along with its compact size. As a very famous indoor plant, the snow white waffle plant looks amazing in many different room settings even in small spaces. If you are a purple lover and looking for a purple plant, this is the option to have in mind. In case you already got one, then you will see some important information about this plant below.

1. What Is A Snow White Waffle Plant?

Snow white waffle plant or Hemigraphis Alternata is a small houseplant with colorful foliage that is native to India and Indonesia. A snow white waffle plant comes in a few different variegations from deep red and metallic green to purple and white. In summer, this tiny plant has five-lobed bell-shaped white flowers in 1 inch racemes that bloom which is quite nice. This mini indoor plant is a very common decoration that adds a gorgeous accent by just sitting on the table.

Many people also use it as a ground plant underneath taller other indoor plants due to its short height. With proper care and growing, it can also trail beautifully from the baskets or pots. Speaking of pots, snow white waffle plants look amazing in terra-cotta pots. No matter what color you choose for the pots, these two just look so good together. The most fascinating thing about the snow white waffle is that it also helps to purify the air. Having several of them in the room is great, and they will totally compliment the aesthetics of your apartments.

2. When To Plant A Snow White Waffle Plant

The best time to plant a snow white waffle plant is from early spring to early summer from March to June. These months are their growing seasons, so the plants will take the fertilizer and flourish beautifully. During those months, you want to give them some direct early morning eastern sun for an hour or two. Along with that, let them absorb some later afternoon western sun at the same amount of hours. This will help to enhance the color of the leaves so that they will look gorgeous for you. Make sure to bring the plant in and avoid direct sunlight, especially during midday to prevent leaf burn.

3. FAQs:

3.1. How big does a snow white waffle plant get?

I wouldn’t say big because a snow white waffle plant can only grow up to 6 inches tall. The sides of the plants can grow around 8 inches or up to 12 inches wide sometimes. Because they are so tiny, you don’t even need to prune them at all. This plant is small, and they don’t really have any vines growing out even after years. Because of the size, no doubt why many people have them as ground plants since they look so great.

3.2. Why is my snow white waffle plant dying?

This is a bad sign because snow white waffle is one of the hardy indoor houseplants that are very strong. It could be many things that cause the plant to become weak or lose its healthy appearance. The most common problems along with the symptoms that may cause them to slowly die including:

  • Light: When the leaves start to change colors or fade, it could be because of the light. A snow white waffle plant will not die under low light conditions, but direct sunlight can kill it. Reposition the plant if it stays too close to the window and gets too much sunlight.
  • Pests: Although rare, snow white waffle plants can suffer from pests like scales and white flies. These two are the most common insects that feed on the plants before multiplying and cause an infestation. The only solution to this is killing and wiping off the pests then regularly check the leaves in case they come back.
  • Water: Overwatering can cause root rot because the soil is too damp and soggy for the plants. Once it happens, your snow white waffle plant will slowly die as a result of decaying and rotting roots. Underwatering causes the soil to dry, resulting in crispy or yellow leaves. Water less to prevent root rot, but water more when the soil is dry or on hot days in summer.

3.3. Is snow white waffle poisonous?

Yes, it is. Thus, make sure that they are out of reach of kids and pets. They are toxic for both animals and humans to consume which is why you should keep them away from your curious family members.

4. Snow White Waffle Plant Care

After you get a snow white waffle plant, the next thing to do is learning how to care for them. Not different from other plants, there are several important basic caring tips that you should know. I include everything you need to do, so let’s take a look and those points below.

4.1. Fertilizer

Snow white waffle plant is not needy when it comes to fertilization so there is not much to worry about. You will only need to feed it with fertilizer a few times a year at a minimum, especially during growing seasons. In case you want to fertilize it more frequently, make sure to grow your plant in a bright spot. The convenient thing about fertilizing is that any houseplant fertilizer will work with this beautiful indoor plant. Just follow the directions on the packaging, and you are good to go.

4.2. Light

This indoor plant loves medium to bright light, but not direct light because it can scorch their leaves. When it receives proper and sufficient sunlight, its colorations will stay bright and vibrant just the way you like. In case it gets too much direct sunlight, the leaves may bleach following by the signs of sunburn. The best light for them is medium to high indirect light, and low light can cause fading on the leaves. Find a place near the window where the light can shine in, and that is all you need to do. Another thing to know is that white waffle plants will adapt to lower light, but it slows down their growth. At the same time, it can also result in a pale and spindly appearance which is not nice at all.

4.3. Propagation

Similar to growing, the best time to propagate a snow white waffle plant is from late spring to mid-summer. The propagation should be by stem cuttings on the green part of the plant that is soft and not woody. All you need to do is taking 3 to 4 inches, and strip off any leaves on the bottom half of the cutting. Then stick the cutting into a pot filled with vermiculite, and make sure that the pot has proper draining holes. You can move it to a pot once you see the roots start growing, simple as that.

4.4. Repot

Many people have asked me about whether or not repotting is necessary for a snow white waffle plant. As you know, it is a small plant that doesn’t grow too big even after a few or several years. It is very unlikely for it to need repotting, but you will need to add additional dirt every few months. So when you pick a pot for your snow white waffle plant, make sure to choose the most beautiful one. That way, you will be able to happily look at them for years to come.

4.5. Soil

The best soil for a snow white waffle plant is porous soil that does not compact for proper draining and ventilation. Because this plant is susceptible to rot, you want the soil to drain the excess water out properly. Just like most indoor plants, you want the soil for your snow white waffle plant to be moist. However, make sure that you don’t water it too much or too often that the soil becomes soggy and wet. Soil in such conditions is bad for the health of the plants, leading to diseases like root rot and more.

4.6. Temperature

This type of plant does not do well in cold temperatures, so you should avoid this at all costs. When the winter months approach and the weather starts to get cold, move your plant to a warmer spot. Now, this is where things get tricky because you should also not keep them near the heater. One of the best places that you can temporarily move them to is in the bathroom. The hot shower that you take will provide the plants all the warmth and even humidity that they need. A snow white waffle plant loves average to warm temperatures between 60 degrees Fahrenheit and above. Don’t forget to move them away from the window when there are cold drafts or drying winds. Also, do not expose them to temperatures below 13 degrees Fahrenheit, and that is all you need to know.

4.7. Water

Snow white waffle plants are a little different from other plants when it comes to their water requirements. While most indoor plants need water every 10 to 14 days, these plants need occasional watering. Things are the same for the active growing seasons from spring to early autumn, you should generously water the plant. You want to make sure that the plant and the soil are evenly moist because this is what they need. Because you have to keep things moist, it is advisable to water the plant every 5 to 7 days. You may need to water it more frequently in a drier climate or on warmer days. If the soil starts to dry, then you know it is time to water your snow white waffle plant. The thing that I like most is that the leaves that wilt when underwater will recover within hours after watering.

5. Waffle Plant Varieties

Snow white waffle plants are gorgeous, but they also come with some other varieties that may capture your heart. Each variety is beautiful and unique in its own ways, and they are all very cute and tiny. In case you want to expand your collections, here are some waffle plant varieties that you should take into consideration.

5.1. Belgian Waffle Plant

Here we have a patented variety of waffle plants that comes with medium-green foliage edged in creamy-yellow. This one is also beautiful thanks to the purple underside of the plant that makes it look absolutely unique. The edging may extend partway into the leaf’s center, creating a mottled pattern. A Belgian waffle plant grows up to 6 inches tall and 12 inches wide which is so cute. If you like its beautiful and unique coloration, you should definitely go for it.

5.2. Colorata Exotica Purple

While most varieties are ideal to have in a pot, this one is perfect as an aquatic plant instead. It has green on top of the leaves with a stunning purple coloration on the bottom. In the aquariums or the water tanks, it absorbs carbon dioxide and produces oxygen to enhance the water quality. Since it also provides shelter and other natural ecosystem benefits, it is an amazing plant for your pets in the aquarium.

5.3. Dragon’s Tongue

A dragon’s tongue is a low-growing and textural houseplant that has narrow purple-green leaves. It features almost fine and grassy-looking leaves on a low spreading base, and it is very easy to care for. Because it is low-growing, this plant is ideal for dish gardens, underplanting with larger houseplants, and more. It is also ideal for medium-light terrariums, and it grows up to 6 inches tall and 12 inches wide.

5.4. Purple Waffle Plant

For those who are a fan of metallic green-purple foliage, then a purple waffle plant is what you look for. The special thing about this plant is that it has a unique puckered texture that makes it look very nice. It makes a nice compliment in small spaces like on the countertops, desks, tables, and more. As for the size, it grows to 6 inches tall and up to 18 inches wide.

5.5. Silver Waffle Plant

This one has metallic silver leaves and purple stems, making it looks very elegant and gorgeous. You can grow this one in medium to bright indirect light with some direct light to enhance the purple color. Silver waffle plants are great shaded groundcover plants since they can make a multicolored mat of dense foliage. It could be difficult to find in some areas, but it is so worth looking for and getting.

Wrap Up

Snow white waffle plants are amazing and beautiful houseplants that look great both at home and in the office. They are very easy to take care of, and they don’t even need pruning which is very nice. So compact and so pretty, these are one of the plants that you might want to have. If you think they will look great in your apartment or office, don’t hesitate to get one. With all the basic caring tips above, growing them will be a duck soup. And if you have any questions, feel free to shoot them out.