Also referred to as the Rose Grape Plant, the Medinilla Magnifica adds beauty to any garden. Its attractive flowers, in shades of red and white, blossom in mid-summer, while its leaves are stunning hues of green, complemented by lovely pink flowers.
This plant can grow up to five feet tall, so make sure you have enough room for it. In this post, we will go over how to take care of your Medinilla Magnifica.
What Is the Medinilla Magnifica?
Medinilla Magnifica is a plant you’ll find most often in the tropical forests of the Philippines.
It has several nicknames, including:
- Rose Grape
- Pink Lantern Plant
- Chandelier Tree
- Snowy Medinilla
- Malaysian Orchid
- Philippine Orchid
Though it grows naturally on trees, the Medinilla Magnifica was prized by wealthy Belgians for decades as a houseplant until it became more popular to grow in homes and gardens worldwide.
A majestic and impressive plant, Medinilla magnifica is an epiphyte (a plant that lives on the surface of other plants) from the family Melastomataceae.
This species of flowering plants is well known because they have beautiful flowers, making them popular with gardeners and homeowners.
Medinilla Magnifica Varieties
Medinilla Magnifica is available in several cultivars that are commonly labeled according to flower color.
These can be difficult plants to find; consult a tropical houseplant specialist or rare seed retailer.
The Medinilla Magnifica is easy to find in its cultivars which are usually labeled based on the color of the flower.
Some of these varieties can be hard to find, so you should consult a specialist.
Rose Grape
This is an excellent choice for beginner gardeners who want to plant in cooler evening climates.
Crimson
The Crimson has beautiful red flowers with a very glossy look.
Coral
This is a smaller variety of the succulent plant that is only 12 inches tall.
Pink
This is the perfect plant for your garden or patio with large bracts that will eventually have rich pink flowers and dark blue berries.
This fast-growing vine can grow up to 6 feet, so make sure you give it enough space either in the ground or a large container on your porch.
Physical Traits
These lovely purple flowers are three meters tall and have an absolutely gorgeous aroma. The leaves on the Medinilla Magnifica plant grow to 20-30 cm long, with a pointed end that is ovate in shape.
They can be any shade of pink or violet, but their color really pops against their green-leaved background. These plants also produce panicles that contain individual flowers.
And these big beautiful blooms come in shades such as ovid reds, pinks, and violets!
Caring for a Medinilla Magnifica Plant Properly
The most important thing about owning a Rose Grape is knowing how to take care of it. If you do it right, you’ll be able to enjoy this plant for years.
Temperature Needs
In the tropics, the Medinilla Magnifica is grown as a perennial. It thrives in hot climates but can be an attractive houseplant year-round for people who live in cooler areas.
This plant must be grown under protection all year round in temperate zones because they don’t tolerate frosts or freezing temperatures below 15° C (59° F).
This plant needs to have high humidity levels with sunshine during the brightest parts of the day and shade at other times so that its leaves won’t burn up.
Lighting
Medinillas are a type of plant that grows great in a dappled shade, basically a mixture of sun and shade. They can’t handle direct sunlight, which could cause scorching or leaf drop.
Since the jungle Medinilla grows on the lowest branches of jungle trees, they receive plenty of natural light from those filtered rays coming through the leaves above them.
Outside the jungle, you’ll need to provide the same conditions for your own Medillinas if you want them healthy and happy.
Soil Needs for Indoor Potting
It’s not too difficult to grow your own Medinilla if you have a few basic supplies at hand and know what potting mix it needs. As the perfect houseplant, it’s not picky about water or soil type.
You’ll need the following:
- 1/3 soil-based mix
- 1/6 peat moss
- 1/3 course leaf mold
- 1/6 course sand or perlite (not beach sand)
Be sure that there are no insecticides in anything because they can harm your new plant. Plant each one with care so as not to hurt its roots when moving into pots.
When it is time for spring growth in early March, you should transfer each plant into a larger container that still allows plenty of room for the roots.
Careful consideration must be taken when transplanting not to damage any root systems too much; also, top dressing with a new fresh potting mix after transferring plants to a bigger pot will ensure continuous healthy growth.
Watering Needs
Medinilla plants are not the type of plant that needs to be watered often (maybe once a week), but it does enjoy a good misting from time to time.
For your Medinilla houseplant to stay healthy and happy during the winter months, you may need an extra humidifier in the home.
Propagation
The Medinilla Magnifica is an elegant and noble flower, but did you know that you can also propagate the plant from seeds?
Upon flowering, the clusters are full of viable seeds. If you’re lucky, one cluster could produce 200 fresh new plants!
You’ll need to take care when collecting these delicate seedlings, as they’re susceptible to high heat or extremely cold conditions.
However, if done correctly, your efforts will pay off with a whole new forest of beautiful flowers in no time at all.
The way you propagate the Medinilla Magnifica is by crushing the fruit. You’ll notice a bunch of seeds in the gel from inside the fruit. Wash them in water for a week or so until the tannins are gone.
Then, plant them on top of a sterile medium while putting some sphagnum moss on top. Keep them moist, and they will grow slowly, but after a couple of years, they should be at flowering size.
Common Pests or Diseases
Mealybugs can be a pain for Medinilla plants, but with the proper treatment, they’ll do just fine. If you notice mealybugs on your plant, use a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol to gently dab them away.
Spider mites will crawl out of the woodwork when Medinillas feel threatened by drought conditions, so make sure to keep it moist daily so you don’t have to worry about them.
Fertilizer
The Medinilla doesn’t require a lot of feeding, so it’s essential not to go crazy with the nitrogen. This will cause the plants to overly create lush foliage, inhibiting the growth of the blossoms.
Feeding the plant every once in a while with liquid compost should be all you need to keep it well-fed.
How Fast Does Medinilla Magnifica Grow?
It may take up to three years before the plant is mature and ready enough for flowering with seeds, but in the meantime, you can enjoy watching this plant while it grows.
However, the great thing about the Medinilla Magnifica is that its flowers can last anywhere from three to six months–way longer than most plants. It usually blooms between April and August.
Can You Grow Medinilla from Cuttings?
The answer is a resounding yes.
The best time to do this is when the new growth from the Medinilla Magnifica has begun to firm up, enough so that you’ll end with at least three or four-leaf nodes after the tip has been taken off.
This cutting should be around four to six inches long.
It’s probably best if you make a bunch of cuttings just to be safe. Also, make sure you remove all the flowers and a good portion of the leaves before planting, as it will make their job much more manageable.
How to Get the Medinilla Magnifica to Bloom
Every once in a while, you might have trouble getting your Medinilla Magnifica to bloom. Never fear.
By taking a few small steps, you can not only ensure that your beloved plant will grow but that it will bloom faster and more vibrantly than ever.
Medinilla plants need filtered shade to full sun. They like to grow in the afternoon, but not too much.
Deadhead spent blooms for new ones. After the flowering period, give it houseplant fertilizer or a different kind of plant fertilizer, and cut back any branches you don’t want.
Specifically, cut back any branch that doesn’t have leaves on it so it will keep growing again.
That’s A Wrap!
If you’re looking for a beautiful, easy-to-care-for houseplant with lots of flowers, then try growing and caring for your own Medinilla Magnifica.
We hope that this blog post has given you some helpful hints on keeping your Medinilla Magnifica looking beautiful.
From watering and fertilizing to trimming the leaves when they get too long, there are many things you can do to make sure it stays healthy.
Just follow these tips, and soon enough, you’ll have a lush green space with some beautiful blooms to show off.