Candy Corn Plant (Manettia): Tropical Vine with Colorful Tubular Blooms

Botanical Name: Manettia inflata

A vigorous climber, you can train Candy Corn Plant on a trellis. Its densely leaf-covered twining stems look even more lush gathered around a support. You could also grow it in a hanging basket where it will trail as long as you allow—or cut it back in spring to keep it bushy and full.

Moving your plant outdoors for spring and summer gives it the sunshine it needs to grow and bloom. This frost-tender plant doesn't tolerate cold, so bring it back indoors when temperatures drop in fall.

Pruning Tip: Cut stems back by half in spring when new growth begins. Be careful not to remove flower buds. Pruning promotes new growth and keeps the plant shapely. Use sharp pruners to avoid tearing stems.

The unusual, hairy, tubular flowers are reddish-orange with yellow tips—resembling candy corn. Give it enough light and you'll enjoy a delightful show from summer through fall. Flowers are nearly 1 in (2.5 cm) long and arise from leaf axils on short stalks.

Did You Know?

Candy Corn Plant is in the Rubiaceae family. Though there's no resemblance, it shares this family tree with coffee plants.

Repot in spring when roots emerge from drainage holes. Move up only one pot size—this vine blooms best when slightly pot-bound. Don't worry about pruning and repotting simultaneously; this vigorous plant handles both.

Candy Corn Plant Care Quick Reference

 

Origin: South America

Height: 6 ft (1.8 m) or more if not pruned back

Light: Bright light to full sun

Water: Keep soil evenly moist spring through fall. Water sparingly in winter.

Humidity: Moderate room humidity

Temperature: Average room temperatures (65–75°F / 18–24°C). Tolerates summer heat but not cold (below 55°F / 13°C).

Soil: Any good potting mix

Fertilizer: Feed every 2 weeks spring through fall with a high-potassium fertilizer diluted by half.

Propagation: Take non-flowering stem tip cuttings in spring or early summer and root in moist soil.