Rose grape Medinilla magnifica
Rose grape (Medinilla magnifica) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Melastomataceae family, native to Philippines, Luzon (epiphyte in humid hill and montane forest). It grows 1–2.5 m (3.3–8.2 ft) tall and 1–1.8 m (3.3–5.9 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and high water, and is hardy to about 12 °C (54 °F). Space plants about 1.2 m (3.9 ft) apart.
Plan Rose grape in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Rose grape at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Melastomataceae |
| Mature height | 1–2.5 m (3.3–8.2 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1–1.8 m (3.3–5.9 ft) |
| Spacing | 1.2 m (3.9 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 3 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5–6.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 12 °C (54 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 12) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 30 °C (86 °F) |
| Flowering | from about March for 9–17 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | None |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Philippines, Luzon (epiphyte in humid hill and montane forest) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇸🇬 Singapore |
Is Rose grape toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison 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 Rose grape
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and high water.
See Rose grape in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Gardens by the Bay (9 plants)
Questions about Rose grape
- How far apart should I plant Rose grape?
- About 1.2 m (3.9 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1–1.8 m (3.3–5.9 ft).
- Does Rose grape need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 3 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Rose grape need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Rose grape?
- It tolerates about 12 °C (54 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 12.
- When does Rose grape flower?
- From about March for 9–17 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Rose grape 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 ASPCA or standard poison references.
- What grows well with Rose grape?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Rose grape. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Cloud Forest conservatory (Cloud Mountain, cool-moist montane climate), Gardens by the Bay
Notes and assumptions
- Tropical montane (cloud forest, about 1,000–3,000 m): needs cool, constantly humid air. In the hot lowlands it is grown in a cooled conservatory (as in the Cloud Forest dome, kept near 23–25 °C).
- Epiphyte: grows on branches in nature; in a garden it is tied onto trees, tree-fern trunks or rock, or grown in very open bark mix.
- Pendant panicles of small pink flowers under large pink bracts, like hanging bunches of grapes; thick, veined leaves.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Glory bush (tibouchina) Pleroma urvilleanum
- Quaresmeira (glory tree) Pleroma granulosum
- Bigleaf hydrangea Hydrangea macrophylla
- Rhododendron Rhododendron
- Boxwood Buxus sempervirens
- Oleander Nerium oleander
- Common ninebark Physocarpus opulifolius
- Camellia Camellia japonica