Medinilla magnifica, also known as “Rose Grape,” “Philippine Orchid,” “Pink Lantern Plant,” and “Chandelier Tree,” is a small evergreen shrub that is native to the Philippines. While it is commonly found growing on trees in tropical woods, it has been cultivated for hundreds of years as a rare indoor plant, prized by Belgium’s aristocracy and wealthy. If you’re interested in growing this unique species yourself, read on for some tips.
Medinilla is a tropical shrub that can reach up to one meter in height. It spreads through tree holes and forks like epiphytic orchids, but unlike orchids, it does not use velamen to absorb moisture and nutrients. Instead, it has broad, succulent green leaves that store moisture like other succulents.
To grow Medinilla successfully, it needs warm and humid surroundings. It cannot survive below 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius) and thrives best in temperatures between 63 and 77 degrees F (17 and 25 C). It prefers warm days with filtered light and cool evenings in the 60s (16 to 21 C) to produce more blossoms. Make sure you can provide Medinilla with year-round warm and humid conditions before purchasing it. As a succulent, it only needs thorough watering once a week on average, but appreciate being frequently misted by water, especially during dry winter months. If keeping it indoors throughout winter, consider running a humidifier. Also, keep it away from drafty windows and air ducts.
Once you know what Medinilla plants need, taking care of them is not difficult. They prefer to avoid intense afternoon light but can be grown in filtered shade to full sun. Deadhead spent buds to promote new growth and maintain the plant’s appearance during the blooming phase.
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