Muehlenbeckia maori complexa

The Muehlenbeckia is a charming plant with small leaves and long, wiry stems that are perfect for hanging flower pots. Originally from the cold mountainous region of New Zealand, the Muehlenbeckia thrives in indirect sunlight and partial shade. This low-maintenance plant grows quickly and is therefore popular as a houseplant. With its unique appearance as a creeping or climbing plant with heart-shaped leaves and thread-like branches, the Muehlenbeckia adds a playful and natural element to any space. With regular pruning and plant food, the Muehlenbeckia can brighten up your interior for years to come. Its flexible and climbing nature makes it ideal for both vertical and horizontal use, allowing it to effortlessly adapt to your creative needs.

The Muehlenbeckia maori complexa likes a sip of water

The Muehlenbeckia has an average water requirement and should be kept slightly moist. It is important to check the soil regularly and ensure that it does not dry out. It is best to water the plant weekly, but ensure that the soil is dry before watering again. During the winter period, the plant needs less water, so adjust the watering accordingly. Overwatering can lead to suffocation of the roots, so ensure that the plant is not in an overly moist environment. By watering the plant regularly and keeping the soil slightly moist, the Muehlenbeckia will thrive and continue to grow beautifully.

Summer

During the summer it is very important that this plant, when it is outside, is kept well moist. Especially during the warm days it should be watered every day, so that the root ball is well moist. On the less warm days this can sometimes be skipped for a few days. This is so important because otherwise the plant 'drinks' moisture from its leaves, causing it to become dry and eventually die. This should of course be prevented.

Winter

When winter is approaching, the rules are reversed! If the Muehlenbeckia maori complexa is outside, it must remain dry, so that the moisture does not freeze and damage the plant. The Muehlenbeckia maori complexa does not suffer from a dry root ball during this period, it is in a kind of hibernation!
When the plant is kept indoors during the winter it should be kept slightly moist, so not soaking wet (as in summer), but just so that the root ball feels slightly damp.

General rules

In addition to the above guidelines, it is best to follow these rules:

First, give the plant a little water. If the soil is dry within 2 days, it means it needs a little more water. Adjust the amount of water until it still feels slightly moist between 2 and 5 days after watering, and almost dry after 5 days. If it feels very wet after 5 days, wait until it is almost dry and water again, but reduce the amount.

Spraying

We recommend that you spray the Muehlenbeckia maori complexa weekly with water. However, we do not recommend this during hot summer days, so that you do it either in the evening after sunset, or on days when the sun shines little, because the water droplets bundle the incoming sunlight into small points that become very hot. These make the leaves dry, or even burn through.
Aside from the detrimental effect of bright sunlight on wet leaves, misting has beneficial effects for your Muehlenbeckia maori complexa. Namely, it removes dust from the leaves, allowing them to better absorb sunlight and appear more beautiful, and it deters certain types of pests.

Where is the best place to place the Muehlenbeckia maori complexa?

The Muehlenbeckia is a plant that thrives best in a light location with lots of indirect sunlight. Preferably place the plant next to a window facing west or east, but a spot facing south is also possible. Make sure that the plant is at least 2 meters from the window to prevent the leaves from scorching. The plant needs a moderate temperature between 18 and 24 degrees Celsius and can tolerate slightly cooler or warmer conditions for a shorter period of time. Make sure that the soil is always slightly moist, but avoid letting the roots stand in soggy soil for too long. Be careful with direct sunlight and give plant food regularly during the growing season for optimal growth and flowering.

Light

The Muehlenbeckia maori complexa is a plant that likes a fair amount of sunlight. It likes to be in full sun or half shade, taking in all the light. Is it indoors? Then it wants a spot near a window or where light comes in. The Muehlenbeckia maori complexa requires at least 1 to 3 hours of direct sunlight per day

Wind

Make sure that the Muehlenbeckia maori complexa experiences as little wind as possible. Wind can damage the leaves, causing them to die off more quickly. A little wind is no problem.

Temperature requirements

Minimum temperature during the day: -18 ℃
At night minimum -18 ℃

Repotting, why and when?

The Muehlenbeckia should be repotted every 2 years, or when the pot becomes too small, to provide the plant with new nutrients and to promote root growth. When the roots become visible on the outside of the pot or the plant becomes too big for the pot, it is time to repot. Spring is the best time to repot the Muehlenbeckia, so that the plant can develop optimally with fresh, airy potting soil. Repot the plant carefully and give it some time to acclimatize after repotting before you start with normal care again. With the right care, the Muehlenbeckia will continue to grow healthy and happy.

General rules

When the Muehlenbeckia maori complexa has rooted (often every 2-3 years) we recommend repotting it in the spring. If it is always inside, it does not matter. If it is outside, it is not a problem to repot it in the summer, but we advise against it in the fall and winter, because it will not grow and root optimally then. This can make it somewhat weak, and possibly suffer damage from frost.

When you choose to repot your Muehlenbeckia maori complexa, choose a nice pot that is twice the size of the root ball. Place a layer of hydro grains at the bottom of the new pot, for better moisture control. It will thank you for that. Fill this layer with some Mediterranean potting soil. This type of soil ensures that the Muehlenbeckia maori complexa roots optimally and is fed. Then you can place the root ball on the ground. Make sure that the top of the root ball is slightly below the edge of the pot. Aim for a difference of 2 to 6 cm. This difference ensures that the water does not run off the root ball when you water it.
Every year you should replace the top layer of soil, because it hardens and 'wears out' in nutrients, due to regular watering and because of the sunlight on the upper edge of the root ball.

Provide the Muehlenbeckia maori complexa with good nutrition

The Muehlenbeckia needs extra nutrients during the growing season to grow and flower well. It is important to administer the plant food once every two weeks, from spring to autumn. This can easily be done by dissolving the prescribed amount of plant food in the irrigation water. Make sure that the plant food is well distributed over the potting soil and avoid excessive use to prevent damage to the plant.

In addition, it is also important not to feed the Muehlenbeckia during the winter months, as the plant uses less energy during this period and will not use the nutrients optimally. By following this feeding schedule, the Muehlenbeckia can remain healthy and beautiful throughout the year. Nutrients help the plant to grow and bloom, making it a beautiful addition to your interior.

Diseases and pests

The Muehlenbeckia is generally a very strong and healthy plant, but like all plants it can also suffer from diseases and pests. It is important to pay close attention and to quickly recognize and tackle any problems.

A common problem with Muehlenbeckia is aphids. These small insects can spread quickly and cause deformed leaves and dehydration of the plant. Combating aphids can be done in various ways, such as using a natural pesticide such as a mixture of green soap and water, or placing ladybugs that eat the aphids.

Another common pest is spider mites. These small mites can cause yellow spots on the leaves and a thin web on the plant. Combating spider mites can be done by regularly spraying the plant with water and possibly using a natural pesticide such as neem oil.

In addition, the Muehlenbeckia can also suffer from fungi, such as mildew or rust. These fungi thrive in humid conditions and can affect the plant. It is important to ventilate the plant well and ensure that the leaves remain dry. In the case of a serious fungal infection, it may be necessary to use a fungicide.

Finally, viruses can also occur in Muehlenbeckia, such as the mosaic virus. This virus can cause deformed leaves and growth retardation. Unfortunately, there is no treatment for viruses in plants and it is important to isolate infected plants to prevent further spread.

It is therefore important to regularly check the Muehlenbeckia for diseases and pests and take action quickly if necessary. By taking good care of the plant and keeping an eye on it, you can ensure that it remains healthy and beautiful. With the right approach and careful monitoring, you can ensure that your Muehlenbeckia will grow and bloom long and happily.

How and when should you prune Muehlenbeckia maori complexa?

The leaves of the Muehlenbeckia maori complexa will eventually wither. If this is the case with a leaf, you can simply cut the stem near the trunk. It is not a problem to cut off an entire leaf with the stem of the plant. This is the way the plant forms its trunk.

How can I propagate Muehlenbeckia maori complexa?

The Muehlenbeckia can be propagated by cuttings. Cut a healthy stem of about 10 cm and remove the lower leaves. Place the cutting in a pot with moist potting soil and put it in a bright spot. Keep the soil moist and after a few weeks roots will grow. Another option is to propagate the plant by seed. Sow the seeds in a pot with potting soil and keep the soil moist. Over time the seeds will germinate and grow into new Muehlenbeckia plants. Propagating the plant is a fun way to have more of this beautiful plant in your home.