Medinilla magnifica

Botanical Name: Medinilla magnifica

This tropical shrub bears drooping clusters of rosy pink flowers, giving it a common name of Rose Grape.

One of the most elegant flowering plants you can grow indoors, M. magnifica is every bit as magnificent as its name.

However, it's not easy to please unless you can provide the high humidity this tropical native craves. Use every means to increase the moisture in the air around it.

Pairs of thick, glossy green leaves cover the upright stems. The leaves get big -- up to 1 ft (30 cm) long -- and are deeply veined with wavy edges.

In spring, given enough light and humidity, you can expect long, pendulous flower stalks to grow from the tips of the branches. The flower heads are spectacular. Clusters of small, pink flowers are carried beneath 2 or 3 tiers of pink bracts.

Cut it back. After flowering, prune the plant back by as much as half to control its size.

Wondering whether to repot? Repotting is probably only needed every couple years. Put Medinilla magnifica in a big container. If you want to control its size, keep the plant in the same pot and top-dress it every year.

How to Top-Dress: Remove the top 2-3 inches of potting mix and replace with fresh mix every couple years. Take care not to harm any roots that may be near the surface.

Winter Care. Give this evergreen shrub a dry, cool rest in winter. It will tolerate a minimum of 60°F/16°C in winter. Cut back on water -- but don't allow the soil to dry out -- and stop fertilizing during this winter rest. Maintain high humidity by misting the plant regularly with room-temperature water. Misting also helps to prevent an invasion of spider mites that are attracted to dry conditions.

Medinilla magnifica Care Tips

 

Origin: Philippines

Height: Up to 4 ft (1.2 m)

Light: Bright, indirect light.

Water: Keep the soil evenly moist spring through fall. Water sparingly in winter, keeping the plant barely moist.

Humidity: High humidity is a must. Mist the foliage frequently and put the plant on a tray of wet pebbles. If the relative humidity drops below 60%, use a room humidifier.

Temperature: Warm (70°F/21°C); slightly cooler in winter (60°F/16°C).

Soil: Peat moss-based potting mix.

Fertilizer: Feed every 2 weeks spring through fall with a high-phosphorous fertilizer (such as 10-20-10) diluted by half.

Propagation: Division