Macleania pentaptera (Big)

A spectacular flowering shrub from Andean cloud forests in Ecuador, producing pendulous clusters of vivid orange tubular flowers with distinctive five-winged calyces — a rare and eye-catching member of the Ericaceae family, closely related to blueberries and prized by collectors of Andean flora.

• Light: Bright indirect light to partial shade. Avoid harsh direct sun. Thrives in the filtered light of a cool greenhouse or a bright, humid indoor space.
• Temperature: Cool-growing; prefers 50–68°F (10–20°C). Consistent cool temperatures are key — this species naturally grows in high-altitude cloud forests and does not tolerate prolonged warmth.
• Humidity: High humidity required, ideally 70–85%. Best suited for a cool greenhouse or humid terrarium environment.
• Watering: Keep the substrate evenly moist but never waterlogged. Use acidic, well-draining media — Macleania requires a low pH similar to other Ericaceae. Avoid hard or alkaline water.
• Growth Habit: Arching to semi-trailing shrub that can reach considerable size with age. Well-suited for hanging baskets, elevated shelves, or trained along a trellis in a cool greenhouse.

Additional Notes:

Best grown in an acidic mix of orchid bark, perlite, and peat or coco coir to replicate the epiphytic, nutrient-poor conditions of its native habitat. Avoid standard potting soil, which tends to be too dense and alkaline.