How to Grow and Care for Rose Grape Plant (Medinilla magnifica) Indoors

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Botanical name: Medinilla magnifica
Family: Melastomataceae
Common names: Rose Grape, Showy Medinilla, Philippines Orchid, Pink Lantern

Description

Rose Grape (Medinilla magnifica) also called Showy Medinilla, Pink Lantern or Philippines Orchid bears spectacular pendant rosy pink flower-heads is a spectacular addition to any plant collection.

The large leathery oval leaves are prominently veined with wavy edges and are borne in pairs. The stems are winged.

Showy Medinilla can be grown in a hanging basket or on a pedestal where the large, pendant flowers can beautifully hang downwards.

Due to its requirement for high humidity and warmth, it is not easy to grow under room conditions. However, it is a spectacular flowering houseplant if the requirements are met.

Flower

The inflorescences in Philippines Orchid are arching panicles of pink flowers, with showy pink basal bracts and are about 1.5 ft long.

Size

Pink Lantern is a slow-growing tropical plant which grows to a height of about 2 ft and a spread of about 2-3 ft. The leaves are about 1 ft long.

Origin

Medinilla magnifica (Rose Grape) is native to the Philippines where it grows as an epiphyte on trees.

Medinilla magnifica is named after José de Medinilla y Pineda, who was governor of Mauritius in 1820. The species name 'magnifica' means 'magnificent', 'great', 'eminent', or 'distinguished'.

Toxicity

Rose Grape Plant (Medinilla magnifica) is non-toxic to both humans and pets. It is safe to grow in the home.

Where to Buy

Rose Grape Plants are a great addition to your plant collection.

Buy Rose Grape Plant online from Etsy

Medinilla magnifica Care Indoors

Rose Grape Plant (Medinilla magnifica) flourishes in bright, indirect light away from direct sunshine and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with fortnightly feeding during the growing season.

Medinilla magnifica requires average room temperature and a humid enviroment. Regular pruning is needed to keep it neat as well as encourage a bushy growth.

Repotting is only necessary when it becomes pot-bound. Continue reading for more on the best growing conditions and how to achieve them.

Watering

Water Rose Grape Plant liberally during the growing season and allow the top 2-3 in. of soil to dry out between waterings to keep the soil moderately moist.

Cut down watering during the cold season to maintain the soil barely moist as growth is minimal at this time but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.

Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot and eventual death of the plant.

Light requirements

Rose Grape Plant grows best in bright, indirect light away from direct sunshine as it can cause scorching of the leaves.

Regularly rotate the pot to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for uniform growth and also prevent leggy growth.

Medinilla magnifica can also be grown under a grow light where natural light is not adequate. Check out these link to Amazon for full spectrum grow lights.

Temperature and Humidity

Medinilla magnifica thrives in warm room temperature between 16-24⁰C. A room temperature that is comfortable for you is ideal for this plant. Keep the plant away from draughts to prevent leaf curl and leaf fall.

Rose Grape Plant requires humid conditions inorder to thirive. To elevate humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier. Check out these techniques on how to raise humidity for houseplants.

Clean the leaves regularly by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust and also discourage pest and disease infestation.

Fertilizer

Feed Rose Grape Plant with a phosphorous-rich, water-soluble fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during the growing season to promote flowering.

Do not feed during the cold season as growth is reduced at this time, therefore, the plant does not need it. Feeding at this time can result in fertilizer burn and death of the plant.

Potting Medium

The best potting mix for Rose Grape Plant should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients. Most all-purpose potting mixes are ideal for this plant. Buy quality all-purpose potting mix from Amazon.

Pruning

Prune Rose Grape Plant by removing dead blooms and leaves to maintain the plant neat and tidy as well as discourage pest and disease infestations.

Pinch off the growing tips to encourage growth of a bushy plant. Cutback the plant after flowering to 1/2 of its height to encourage new growth and keep it compact.

Repotting

Repot Rose Grape Plant at the beginning of the growing season into a pot one size larger than the previous one only when the plant becomes pot-bound.

The mature plants can be top-dressed by replacing the top 3-4 inches of soil with fresh potting mixture.

Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot. Check out these Flower Pots with Multi Mesh Drainage Holes on Amazon.

Propagation

Rose Grape Plant (Medinilla magnifica) can be propagated at the beginning of the growing season from stem cuttings.

How to propagate Rose Grape Plant from stem cuttings

Take stem cuttings of about 4-6 in. from a healthy Rose Grape plant. Ensure each cutting has at least 2 nodes as new growth will emerge from here. Strip the lower leaves.

Dip the lower cut end of the cutting in a rooting hormone to hasten rooting.

Insert the cutting in moist, free-draining soil and cover the set up with clear polythene to create a greenhouse effect in order to promote rooting.

Place the set up in a warm, brightly lit spot away from direct sunlight. Allow the Rose Grape plants to be well established before transplanting after which you can begin routine care.

Medinilla magnifica Problems

Rose Grape Plant (Medinilla magnifica) growing problems include flowerbud drop, lack of blooms, yellow leaves, brown leaf tips, leaf drop, pests and diseases among others. Read on for more on these problems, their remedies and solutions.

Brown leaf tips and edges

Rose Grape brown leaf tips and edges are due to too low humidity (dry air) as it thrives in humid conditions. To raise humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier.

Pests

Common pests in Rose Grape are Spider Mites, Scale Insects and Aphids. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other plants and treat it with Neem oil or Insecticidal soap.

Dropping flower buds

Rose Grape Plant dropping flower buds is caused by underwatering. The plant requires moderately moist soil during the growing season to thrive.

Water Showy Medinilla thoroughly and maintain the soil moderately moist during the growing season to avoid flower bud drop. Never allow the soil to dry out completely.

Yellowing and wilted leaves

Rose Grape Plant yellowing and wilted leaves are due to underwatering. Dryness in the roots zone will cause the leaves to wilt and turn yellow.

Water the Pink Lantern plant liberally and maintain the soil moderately moist during the growing season and slightly moist in the cold season but never allow the soil to dry out completely.

Yellowing leaves

Rose Grape Plant yellowing leaves are caused by soggy soil brought about by poor soil drainage. The plant cannot tolerate wet feet.

Too much water in the root zone result in death of roots. When roots die, they cannot take up water and other nutrients required for photosynthesis. Therefore, the plant begins to die and leaves are the first casualty.

To prevent death of Showy Medinilla, maintain the soil moderately moist during the growing season and reduce watering in the cold season to keep the soil barely moist.

In addition, ensure that the pot has a drainage hole and that the soil drains easily to prevent it from getting soggy.

No blooms

Lack of blooms in Rose Grape Plant is due to three possible reasons. One possible reason is too little light as it blooms best when grown under bright, indirect light.

Move the Showy Medinilla to a brighter spot where it will receive bright, indirect light away from direct sunshine or instal a grow light if you do not have adequate light in the home.

The second possible reason for lack of blooms in Rose Grape Plant is feeding it with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer which leads to vegetative growth at the expense of blooms.

Feed the Rose Grape Plant with a phosphorous-rich, water-soluble fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during the growing season but withhold feeding during the cold season as growth is minimal at this time.

The third possible reason for lack of blooms in Rose Grape Plant is underwatering. Water the plant deeply during the growing season and allow the top 1-2 in. of soil to dry out between waterings.

Decrease watering during the cold season to maintain the soil barely moist but never allow the soil to dry out completely.

Leaf curl and leaf drop

Rose Grape leaf curl and leaf drop is due to too cold temperatures as it prefers warm temperatures to thrive. Keep the plant away from cold draughts and maintain warm room temperature between 16-24⁰C to prevent leaf curl and leaf drop.