Manettia Luteo (Candy Corn Plant) is a fast-growing vine that is sometimes called Brazilian Firecracker. It is a beautiful and exotic vine that is native to South America. This plant is a member of the coffee family, despite its complete lack of resemblance. It can thrive in full to partial sunlight and grow up to 15 feet (5 m.) if it is well-supported. The red-orange flowers have tubular shapes with bright yellow tips, making them look like candy corn or fireworks. This plant is best grown outdoors on trellises, fences, or lattices, and it is also a popular choice for indoor and outdoor hanging baskets. As this plant matures, it will produce an abundance of red and yellow blooms that resemble candy corn.

 

General Growing Tips:

Manettia Luteo requires little water in the winter months, but as they begin their growing season, they will need more to flourish. As with most plants, allow the soil to dry out between waterings to avoid fungus. Be careful not to overfeed them, as they do not tolerate high volumes of fertilizer at one time. Slow and steady wins the race with these plants. To optimize growth, it is recommended to adjust the pH level of your soil between 5.5 and 6.5.

 

Flowering

Candy corn will flower naturally through the spring, summer, and fall as the days are longer.

 

Pinching

Pinching is not required, but trimming will be necessary once the plant has taken over an area like a fence or trellis.

 

Spacing

Grow pots wide enough to keep them from intertwining with other pots. Hanging baskets will climb wires and wrap around anything they find. Pots grown on the ground will vine out to wrap around benches, other pots, and poles.