Medinilla Magnifica – Philippine Orchid – How to Grow Care Guide

Hi Judy, My mom saw a Medinilla plant in bloom and really wants one for her birthday. Could you show me what it looks like and is it hard to care for? Thanx!

Hi Stephen,

Medinilla magnifica  is a beautiful flowering plant often called a Philippine Orchid. In the Philippines, Medinilla magnifica grows in the forks of large trees. It is a type of epiphyte, which is a plant that grows on other trees but doesn’t get its food from those trees. In warm climates, a Medinilla magnifica is grown as a perennial. The plant produces large flowers several times a year and is not difficult to care for.

 

Pink Medinilla magnifica

Here are some care tips:

Light: A Medinilla likes bright light and during the winter, from November to March, the plant can even be in the direct sun. However, from April through October, keep a Medinilla magnifica in bright indirect light so the leaves don’t burn.

Water: Allow the top 1/3 of the soil to dry out before watering it. The plant should be light when you lift it. I like to water from the bottom. Place a Medinilla magnifica in a deep saucer of water for 10 minutes, refilling the water as it is absorbed. Allow the soil to dry out more during the winter when the plant is resting.

Temperature: The ideal growing temperature is about 65°F to 78°F (18.3° to 25.6°C). Cooler night-time temperatures help the flowers last longer and new buds develop faster. Avoid temperatures below 60°F (15.6°C).

Fertilizer:  Feed twice a month during the spring, summer, and fall. Using a plant food that is high in phosphorous (10/20/10) helps more flowers develop. Always dilute the plant food to 1/2 the recommended strength. It is not necessary to feed the plant during the winter.
Humidity: These plants really like high humidity. If the air in your home is dry, put the plant on a tray of wet pebbles (be sure the plant is sitting on the pebbles and not in the water) or place a mall humidifier nearby.
Pruning: Once the plant has finished flowering, give it a good hair cut. I cut mine in half and it grows back more beautiful than before.