Miconia spp.

Melastomataceae

Tropical Americas — Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies

Native to North America

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterHigh

HardinessZones 10–11

Overview

Miconia spp. is a large genus of about 1,900 species of evergreen shrubs and trees in the melastome family (Melastomataceae), native to the tropical Americas from Mexico and the Caribbean through Central and South America. Plants range from low shrubs about 3 feet (1 m) tall to trees reaching 50 feet (15 m), with paired leaves marked by three to nine curved veins running from base to tip. The leaves of many species are large, sometimes more than 12 inches (30 cm) long, green above and flushed purple beneath. Small white to pink flowers are carried in branched sprays, followed by round berries that ripen blue-black or purple and are eaten by birds and other wildlife. The genus grows in rainforest, cloud forest, and forest clearings, mostly in warm, humid lowland to mid-elevation sites. M. calvescens, with its large purple-backed leaves, is regulated as a noxious invasive in Hawaii and French Polynesia, where it has overtaken native forest. Most species are frost-tender and grow only in tropical and warm subtropical climates.

Native Range

The genus is native to the tropical Americas, ranging from Mexico and the Caribbean through Central America and across South America, with the greatest diversity in the Andes and Amazon basin. Miconia spp. grows in rainforest, cloud forest, and forest edges and clearings. Plants favor warm, humid sites on acidic soil.

Suggested Uses

Non-invasive Miconia spp. species are grown as foliage shrubs and small trees in tropical and conservatory plantings for their large, strongly veined leaves. The berries feed birds and other wildlife. Invasive species are managed and removed rather than planted in Hawaii, French Polynesia, and other affected regions.

How to Identify

Leaves are paired and marked by three to nine curved veins that run lengthwise from the base, a feature of the melastome family, and are often large with a purple underside. Small four- to six-petalled flowers, white to pink, are held in branched sprays at the stem tips. Round berries follow, ripening blue-black or purple. The strongly veined leaves and berry clusters mark the genus.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height3' - 50'

Width/Spread3' - 25'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

Spring Summer

Flowering occurs through the warm season, with branched sprays of small white to pink flowers, and timing varies across the wide range and many species. Plants in steady tropical conditions can flower more than once a year. Berries follow and ripen over the following weeks.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

white to pink

Foliage Description

green above, often purple beneath

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 3-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range4.5 - 6.5(Acidic)

357912

Soil Types

loam clay peat

Drainagemoist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

High

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

3–6 years to flowering

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plants grow in part shade to full sun on moist, acidic loam, clay, or peat-rich soil, and need steady warmth and humidity. Most species are frost-tender and survive outdoors only in zones 10–11. Young plants grow quickly in fertile, well-watered ground and resent drying out. Birds spread the seed widely, so invasive species such as M. calvescens establish far from where they are planted. In regulated regions these species are removed rather than grown.

Pruning

Dead and crossing branches are removed to shape the canopy in cultivated specimens. Flower and fruit clusters are cut out before berries ripen on invasive species to limit bird-spread seed. Plants resprout readily after cutting in warm conditions.