Candy corn plant, Manettia inflata, is a vigorous tropical climber native to South America. It bears slightly hairy, tubular, red-orange flowers with yellow tips. It’s perfect for growing as a conservatory climber but it may also be planted in a hanging basket or pot placed on a high shelf, where its leafy twining stems can cascade down.
For best results grow Manettia inflata in peat-free, multi-purpose compost in full sun. Water and mist regularly during the growing season, ensuring the compost is kept moist, but reduce watering in winter. Cut the stems back by half in spring, to maintain its shape and vigour. In summer average room temperatures should be 25° C but should fall no lower than 13° C.
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Manettia and wildlife
Manettia has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
