Manettia [man-ET-ee-uh], also known as the candy corn plant, is an evergreen perennial vine belonging to the genus Manettia and from the Rubiaceae family, also known as the Madder, Coffee, or Bedstraw family.
It’s a distant relative of the coffee family, although it doesn’t have any resemblance at all.
This herbaceous, perennial climber is native to the regions of South and Central America, Mexico, and the West Indies. It also grows abundantly in rainforests and tropical forests.
Manettia produces eye-catching blooms. It’s well-known for its slightly hairy, red-orange, tubular-shaped flowers with bright yellow tips and dark green teardrop leaves.
Its flowers greatly resemble the popular treat, candy corn or lit fireworks, hence its common name, candy corn plant or firecrackers vine.
The genus Manettia was named after Saverio Manetti, a notable Italian physician, botanist, and ornithologist.
In addition, Manettia is a flowering plant with over 120 species.
Some of the Manettia species are:
- Manettia alba
- Manettia angamarcensis
- Manettia arboricola
- Manettia bicolor
- Manettia canescens
- Manettia coccinea
- Manettia cordifolia
- Manettia herthae
- Manettia lilacina
- Manettia longicalycina
- Manettia luteorubra
- Manettia microphylla
- Manettia nebulosa
- Manettia nubigena
- Manettia paraguariensis
- Manettia pichinchensis
- Manettia reclinata
- Manettia skutchii
- Manettia stenocalyx
- Manettia teresitae
Manettia also goes by several common names, including:
- Brazilian Firecracker Vine
- Candy corn plant
- Cigar flower
- Cigarette Creeper
- Firecracker vine
- Twining Firecracker
Quick Facts On Manettia
- Family: Rubiaceae
- Light: Full sun; partial shade
- Temperature: 65° to 75° degrees Fahrenheit
- Water: Moderate watering; Moist, well-drained soil
- Fertilizer: Diluted high-phosphorus fertilizer
- Propagation: Stem cutting
- Common Problems: Aphids, Mealybugs, and White-fly
Manettia Care
How Big Does Manettia Grow?
Manettia is a vigorous or fast-growing tropical climber, reaching up to 6′ to 15′ feet if supported well.
Its climbing stems or vines can also grow 20″ to 32″ inches per year, but when grown in a pot, it only reaches 6″ to 10″ inches per year.
When Does Manettia Flower? Are The Flowers Fragrant?
Manettia is a showy flowering plant, producing slightly hairy, red-orange bell or tubular-shaped flowers with yellow or golden tips.
Its flowers resemble candy corn, and they glow like a lit firecracker in the sunlight.
Individual flowers arise from the leaf axils on stalks, and their slender, twining stems are densely covered with lanceolate leaves.
Manettia blooms throughout the year, at various times, depending on the species and the region it’s grown.
You may also enjoy its blooms from summer through late fall, flowering most beautifully in abundance with a faintly sweet fragrance from April to September.
What Are The Lighting Needs And Temperature Requirements?
Manettia plants are perennial tropical vines, meaning they thrive in bright, sunny locations and enjoy the warmth.
They grow best when planted in full sun or partial shade outdoors. However, if grown indoors, they do well in a well-lit, South- or West-facing window to receive direct exposure to full sun.
The ideal temperature for Manettia plants ranges from 65° to 75° degrees Fahrenheit and does well on average room temperatures with relative humidity above 45% percent.
However, they don’t tolerate freezing temperatures below 55° degrees Fahrenheit.
In addition, Manettia plants thrive in USDA zones 9 to 11.
How And When To Water And Fertilize Manettia?
Manettia plants require regular watering when they’re in active growth or growing season.
Keep the soil evenly moist but not too soggy to prevent overwatering.
Once the Manettia plants enter dormancy in winter, it’s best to reduce watering. They may only need watering once or twice a month during this time.
Regular misting during the growing season is also recommended, especially indoors, as these tropical vines thrive in humid conditions.
In addition, Manettia plants need regular fertilizer to promote year-round flowering.
You may apply a diluted high-phosphorus fertilizer every other week from spring until fall.
Remember to avoid heavy fertilizers as they don’t tolerate heavy fertilizer applications.
What Is The Best Soil For Manettia, And When Should You Transplant?
Manettia plants thrive in fertile soils with good drainage and adequate aeration.
Keep the soil evenly moist but ensure it’s well-drained because standing water can cause root rot.
If your soil needs to be amended, you can use a mixture of equal parts of all-purpose potting mix, peat moss, and perlite. This mixture will make a suitable planting condition for Manettia plants grown in containers or baskets.
In addition, Manettia plants grow best in fertile soils with mildly acidic to neutral pH levels.
Does Manettia Need Special Grooming Or Maintenance?
Since Manettia plants are vigorous or fast-growing vines, you may prune them (especially the old branches) to maintain the desired shape and size.
Doing so will also make this long twining vine dense and bushy and encourage the new growth of flowers.
How To Propagate Candy Corn Plants?
In spring or early summer, you can propagate candy corn plants via stem cuttings.
Here are the following tips for stem cutting propagation:
- Take 4″ to 6″ inches stem cuttings from mature stems.
- Ensure to cut the stem cutting where a leaf meets the stem, just above the node.
- Dip the stem cuttings in rooting hormone.
- Insert the cutting’s bottom half (without leaves) into a soil mixture with equal parts of peat moss and perlite.
- Cover the stem cuttings with a plastic bag.
- Repot them in potting soil after the roots appear.
Firecracker Vine Pests And Disease Problems
Firecracker vines are susceptible to insects, such as
- Aphids
- Mealybugs
- Whitefly
Keep a lookout for signs of infestations underneath the leaves like droppings on the undersides and pale spots on the leaves.
If there are any, immediately separate infected plants and spray them with an insecticide to treat the infestation.
You may also notice several common problems of firecracker vines, such as:
- Pale spots on leaves and drops of dung on the undersides (aphid attack)
- Flowers not developing or sudden leaf drop (too much water)
- Yellowing leaves
Uses Of Firecracker Vine
Firecracker vines produce eye-catching flowers, making them excellent ornamental houseplants.
They are also easy to grow vines and can be trained in trellises, fences, latticework, and posts to create spilling over container edges and a beautiful privacy screen.
Firecracker vines are also great for hanging baskets or containers, enhancing your home’s curb appeal.