Mussaenda (Doña Aurora) Mussaenda philippica
Mussaenda (Doña Aurora) (Mussaenda philippica) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Rubiaceae family, native to Philippines. It grows 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) tall and 1.5–2.5 m (4.9–8.2 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about 7 °C (45 °F). Space plants about 1.5 m (4.9 ft) apart.
Plan Mussaenda (Doña Aurora) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Mussaenda (Doña Aurora) at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Rubiaceae |
| Mature height | 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1.5–2.5 m (4.9–8.2 ft) |
| Spacing | 1.5 m (4.9 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–6.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 7 °C (45 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 11) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | about 26–52 weeks after planting, for 17–34 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Philippines |
| Common in gardens of | 🇵🇭 Philippines, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇲🇾 Malaysia, 🇸🇬 Singapore, 🇮🇩 Indonesia, 🇻🇳 Vietnam, 🇮🇳 India |
Is Mussaenda (Doña Aurora) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
No toxicity reported in standard references.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Mussaenda (Doña Aurora)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Questions about Mussaenda (Doña Aurora)
- How far apart should I plant Mussaenda (Doña Aurora)?
- About 1.5 m (4.9 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1.5–2.5 m (4.9–8.2 ft).
- Does Mussaenda (Doña Aurora) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Mussaenda (Doña Aurora) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Mussaenda (Doña Aurora)?
- It tolerates about 7 °C (45 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 11.
- When does Mussaenda (Doña Aurora) flower?
- About 26–52 weeks after planting, for 17–34 weeks.
- Is Mussaenda (Doña Aurora) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. No toxicity reported in standard references.
- What grows well with Mussaenda (Doña Aurora)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Mussaenda (Doña Aurora). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Flora & Fauna Web, National Parks Board, Singapore
- UF/IFAS Extension tropical and subtropical fruit and landscape publications, University of Florida
Notes and assumptions
- What look like petals are enlarged sepals (white, pink or salmon) around tiny yellow flowers; Filipino and Thai breeders made many forms, such as ‘Queen Sirikit’.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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