Candy Corn Plant

Botanical Name: Manettia inflata

A vigorous climber, you can train Candy Corn Plant on a trellis. Its densely covered twining stems look even more lush when gathered around a support.

You could also plant this beautiful, tropical plant in a hanging basket -- if you like -- where its vines will trail as long as you allow them to. Of course, you can cut them back in spring to keep the plant bushy and full.

The unusual, hairy, tubular flowers are reddish-orange with yellow tips. Give Candy Corn Plant enough light, and you'll enjoy a delightful show of blooms from summer through fall. The flowers are nearly an inch (2.5 cm) long and arise from the leaf axils on short stalks.

Repot in spring when you see roots growing out of the drainage holes of the pot. Move up only 1 pot size because this flowering plant blooms best when slightly pot-bound. Don't worry about pruning and repotting at the same time. This vigorous, vining plant can take it.

Origin: South America

Height: 6 ft (1.8 m) or more, if not pruned back

Light: Bright light to full sun

Water: Keep the soil evenly moist spring through fall. Water sparingly in winter.

Humidity: Moderate room humidity.

Temperature: Average room temperatures 60-75°F, 16-24°C. If you move your plant outdoors for the summer, don't worry -- it can take the heat. If won't, however, tolerate cold temperatures.

Soil: Any good potting mix.

Fertilizer: Feed every 2 weeks spring through fall with a high-potassium fertilizer diluted by half.

Propagation: Take non-flowering stem tip cuttings in spring or early summer and root in moist soil.