Melhania volleseniana Plant Care

Melhania volleseniana (Melhania volleseniana) belongs to the Malvaceae family within the Melhania genus. Melhania volleseniana is native to East Africa.

Melhania volleseniana displays an upright, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Melhania volleseniana produces showy, colorful blooms in shades of pink, purple, or white.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Melhania volleseniana every 7–10 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.

Melhania volleseniana thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Melhania volleseniana tolerates temperatures of 65–85°F. Melhania volleseniana prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Melhania volleseniana to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Melhania volleseniana every 4 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 full sun to partial shade and well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Melhania volleseniana is suited to USDA Zone 13b.

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.

Melhania volleseniana can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 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 Melhania volleseniana 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.

Melhania volleseniana is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Melhania volleseniana can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to melhania phillipsiae plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Melhania volleseniana is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. 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.

Melhania volleseniana grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Melhania volleseniana is native to East Africa. In cooler regions, grow Melhania volleseniana as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.