Habitat and Location:
Melastoma malabathricum, is a widespread species found from Australia to China and throughout South East Asia. Found in various soil types, sparsely wooded areas and grasslands at elevations between 200 and 2,500 metres.
 
Description and Key Features:
Melastoma malabathricum is a shrub related to Medinilla. Plants attain heights of 1-3 metres but will remain shorter when in pots and in cultivation. The leaves will reach 15 cm when grown and fed well. The leaves have a prominent mid-vein and two lateral veins. Each inflorescence emerges in the spring and bears 1-3 unscented flowers. The flowers are in shades of pink, rarely white and measure 8 cm across. 
 
Care Instructions:
Grow Melastoma malabathricum grow this species in a large pot with soil mix. Provide bright light for growth and flowers, spray lightly daily to mimic natural moisture conditions increasing in frequency during warmer weather and maintain an intermediate or warm greenhouse/terrarium with night temperatures of 14-21 degrees and daytime temperatures of 23-31 degrees. Feed plants all year.
 
Specifications:
 
Plant Size: Deflasked 2024, grown on from seedling.
Family: Orchidaceae
Plant Passport: A Melastoma malabathricum B 140084 c 13353 d GB