The beautiful Macleania insignis is an unusual member of the blueberry and Rhododendron family (Ericaceae).  Its highly decorative blooms almost look like Christmas decorations!  Despite its exotic look, it is an easy-to-grow plant that is a must for collectors!  It is rarely seen for sale on Ebay.

 Macleania insignis is found in cloud forests from Southern Mexico to Costa Rica.  It usually grows as an epiphyte in trees, although it does quite well in soil in cultivation.  The plant makes attractive, caudex-like tubers that grow partially exposed.  It has thick, Hoya-like leaves along trailing branches that reach 6 feet long if left unpruned.  It can be grown in a hanging planter and allowed to trail down, or you may train the branches upright.  The flower clusters appear in the spring and summer.  The tubular, 1½" blooms are a vibrant shade of pinkish-red, and are tipped with white and red.  They have a waxy texture and are quite durable.  In the wild, the flowers are pollinated by hummingbirds.  After flowering, large fruits appear that look like purple blueberries!  I don't know if the fruits are edible.

Macleania is found in areas that range from 45 degrees to the low 90s.  It can tolerate lower temperatures, but i would protect it from frost.  It grows well in a pot in a 50/50 mix of potting soil and pumice rock or perlite.  It likes slightly acid soil, so avoid lime.  It prefers tree-filtered sun or morning sun, and regular, light watering.  Some humidity is needed for it to thrive - over about 40% is recommended.

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