Red Spike Vine Plant Care

Red Spike Vine (Henriettea squamata) belongs to the Melastomataceae family within the Henriettea genus. Red Spike Vine is native to Cuba. Red Spike Vine is also known as Red-veined Creeper, Squama Vine.

Red Spike Vine displays a compact, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 2.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2.5 ft. Red Spike Vine produces showy, colorful clusters of small flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Red Spike Vine every 5–7 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Red Spike Vine thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Red Spike Vine in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Henriettea squamata tolerates temperatures of 65–80°F. Red Spike Vine prefers humidity levels of 60–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Well-draining, acidic soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Red Spike Vine to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Red Spike Vine every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with bright indirect light and well-draining, acidic soil with high organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Red Spike Vine is suited to USDA Zone 10b – 12b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Red Spike Vine can spread to about 3 ft (0.8 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 3 ft (0.8 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Red Spike Vine while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Red Spike Vine is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 10). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Red Spike Vine can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to henriettea goudotiana plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Red Spike Vine is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, scale insects. 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.

Red Spike Vine grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10b – 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10b. Red Spike Vine is native to Cuba. In cooler regions, grow Red Spike Vine as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.