Houseplants come in all shapes and sizes but few are as beautiful or as dramatic as a Medinilla magnifica in full flower.

This epiphyte has bold foliage and long panicles of bright pink flowers. In its native Philippines it grows in forks in trees and in the home it needs a tall pot or a hanging container to allow its blooms to cascade around it.

HOW TO GROW
Medinillas are tropical plants, so they need heat, light and moisture, but they can scorch if placed in direct sunlight. During the growing season they should be kept at between 18-25C, and no lower than 15C in winter.

Start watering in spring when the flower stalks begin to emerge, allowing the surface of the compost to dry out before watering again, but never allowing the roots to dry out.

Once the flower buds start to open, apply liquid fertiliser every two weeks and mist the leaves, but not the blooms to help prevent attacks by Red Spider Mite.

In spring, repot using orchid compost and once the plant is too large to move into a larger container, top-dress with fresh compost.

After flowering cut back the branches and reduce watering to a minimum over the winter months.