Medinilla Magnifica

Medinilla (Medinilla magnifica) is an evergreen shrub that grows to be about six feet tall with rich green, oval, opposite leaves, proximately veined and stalk less. Flowers are showy, one foot drooping inflorescences consisting of many rosy-red flowers with yellow stamens and purple anthers, surrounded with large pink bracts. Medinilla flowers in the hottest part of the summer. It was originally from the Philippine Islands. It is used as an indoor plant because of the magnificent flowers, which don’t last long.

Medinilla’s like lots of light. During the winter, you can place it in direct sunlight. During the summer direct sunlight will burn the leaves. Place it in bright but indirect sunlight.

Medinilla’s prefer temperatures of 70 to 75 degrees. Too hot and they will die, too cold and they will freeze. They also prefer high humidity. This can be achieved by placing a saucer of pebbles under the pot of the medinilla and filling it with water. Don’t put too much water in the saucer because you don’t want the plant sitting in water. The water will evaporate and create a microclimate that is more humid than most of the room. Just remember to add water daily as it will evaporate rapidly.

Medinilla’s don’t require much fertilizer. Too much nitrogen means the foliage will grow thickly but you will get few blooms. Feed weekly with a liquid water soluble fertilizer mixed at half strength.

After the plant flowers, remove the old flowers. This will cause new leaves to appear and eventually grow new flowers in a second burst of color. When the new leaves are unfurling, it is important to place it in a slightly cooler (63 degrees) place until they have unfurled completely and the flower buds have formed. Then move it back to the warm (70-75 degree) spot it usually lives in.

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