How to Grow and Care for Rose Grape Plant (Medinilla magnifica) Indoors
Some links in this post may be affiliate links
Rose Grape Plant (Medinilla magnifica) flourishes in bright indirect light, moderate warmth, above average humidity and moderately moist, rich, well-drained, all purpose soil coupled with fortnightly feeding in the growing season.
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. It is one of the best flowering plants for hanging baskets.
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.
Botanical name: Medinilla magnifica
Family: Melastomataceae
Common names: Rose Grape, Showy Medinilla, Philippines Orchid, Pink Lantern
Origin
Medinilla magnifica 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'.
Flower
The inflorescences in Philippines Orchid are arching panicles of pink flowers, with showy pink basal bracts and are about 1.5 feet long.
Size
Pink Lantern is a slow-growing tropical plant which grows to a height of about 2 feet and a spread of about 2-3 feet. The leaves are about 1 ft long.
Toxicity
Rose Grape Plant (Medinilla magnifica) is non-toxic to both humans and pets. It is among the pet-friendly plants that you can grow in the home.
Where to Buy
Rose Grape Plants are a great addition to your plant collection. You may obtain these plants online from Etsy (Link to Etsy).
Rose Grape Plant Care Indoors
Rose Grape Plant (Medinilla magnifica) flourishes in bright indirect light (filterd light), moderate warmth of 16-240C, humidity of 60-70% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained, all purpose potting soil coupled with fortnightly feeding in the growing season.
Medinilla magnifica requires regular pruning to keep it neat as well as encourage a bushy growth. Repotting is only necessary when it becomes pot-bound. Keep 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 inches 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 loss of the plant.
Light requirements
Rose Grape Plant grows best in bright indirect light (dappled light). Keep it away from direct sunshine as it can cause scorching of the leaves.
You may grow Medinilla magnifica under a grow light where the natural light is not adequate. Check out these full spectrum grow lights on Amazon.
Regularly rotate the pot to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for uniform growth and also prevent leggy growth.
Temperature and Humidity
Medinilla magnifica thrives in warm temperatures of 16-240C. A room temperature that is comfortable for you is ideal for this plant. Keep it away from drafts to prevent leaf curl and leaf fall.
Rose Grape Plant requires humidity of 60-70% to thrive. To elevate humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier or grow the plants in a well-lit bathroom and other humid areas in the home.
Clean the leaves regularly by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust and also discourage pest and disease infestations. Ensure that there is good air circulation to minimize fungal diseases.
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 in 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.
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.
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. The mature plants can be top-dressed by replacing the top 3-4 inches of soil with fresh potting mixture. Take a look at these pots with multi mesh drainage hole on Amazon.
Pruning
Prune Rose Grape Plant by removing dead blooms and leaves to maintain the plant neat 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.
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 inches 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 with Remedies
Rose Grape Plant (Medinilla magnifica) problems include flowerbud drop, lack of blooms, yellow leaves, brown leaf tips, leaf drop, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems, their remedies and solutions.
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 as per the manufacturer's instructions.
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 the plant thoroughly and maintain the soil moderately moist during the growing season to avoid flower bud drop. Never allow the soil to dry out completely. Learn more on how to water houseplants the right way.
No blooms
Lack of blooms in Rose Grape Plant is due to three possible reasons. One possible reason is too little light. Move the plant to a brighter spot where it will receive bright indirect light or instal a grow light if you do not have adequate light in the home. Check out this guide on understanding light for houseplants.
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 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. Learn more on how to feed houseplants.
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 inches 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 drafts and maintain warm temperatures of 16-240C to prevent leaf curl and leaf drop. Check out this guide on understanding temperature for houseplants.
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. Read more on how to increase humidity for houseplants.
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 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, 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.
You liked it? Share on social media.
Related Content
Amazon Associates Disclosure
Homeplantsguide.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.