Wine Costus Plant Care
Costus vinosus Maas
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Costus vinosus is a critically endangered species of plant in the family Costaceae which may now be extinct in the wild. It is endemic to Panama.
Every 7–10 days
Bright indirect to partial shade
65–80°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Wine Costus?
Water Wine Costus every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 65–80°F (18–27°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Wine Costus?
Wine Costus (Costus vinosus) belongs to the Costaceae family within the Costus genus. Wine Costus is native to the wild.
Wine Costus displays a tall, clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 4 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Wine Costus produces showy, tubular flowers in vibrant colors like red, orange, or yellow.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Wine Costus?
Costus vinosus requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Wine Costus Need?
Wine Costus thrives in bright indirect to partial shade. Avoid placing Wine Costus in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Wine Costus Prefer?
Costus vinosus grows best at temperatures of 65–80°F. Wine Costus prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
65–80°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Wine Costus?
Loose, well-draining soil mix with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Good drainage is essential for Wine Costus to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Wine Costus?
Feed Wine Costus every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Wine Costus?
Repot every 1-2 years in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Wine Costus?
Wine Costus can be propagated through division of rhizomes, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to redleaf costus plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Wine Costus Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Wine Costus, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Wine Costus?
Wine Costus is susceptible to spider mites, aphids, mealybugs. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Wine Costus Need?
Wine Costus grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Wine Costus is native to the wild. In cooler regions, grow Wine Costus as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13b
Keep exploring plants
Wine Costus is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Costus genus — compare its care with other Costus species on PlantoScan.
Costus is part of the Costaceae plant family — browse all Costaceae genera and species.
Wine Costus thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Costus Species
Other Costus species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Costus vinosus Maas, family Costaceae (first published in Acta Bot. Neerl. 24: 470 (1975 publ. 1976)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Wine Costus, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13b, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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