Hypoestes is a flowering plant genus with many dozens of species. They are widely distributed throughout the tropical and subtropical lands around the Indian Ocean, and some adjacent regions. It belongs to the subfamily Acanthoideae of the acanthus family Acanthaceae. Therein, it is classified in the subtribe Justiciinae of tribe Ruellieae, making it a relative of such American genera as the mosaic plants (Fittonia), water-willows (Justicia) and wrightworts (Carlowrightia).