Memecylon kunstleri Plant Care

Memecylon kunstleri King

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Memecylon kunstleri is a species of flowering plant in the family Melastomataceae. It is a tree endemic to Peninsular Malaysia.

Water

Every 7–10 days

Light

Partial shade to full sun

Temp

60–80°F

Humidity

50–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Memecylon kunstleri?

Plant Memecylon kunstleri in partial shade to full sun (USDA zones 13a) and water a young shrub every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Memecylon kunstleri Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Memecylon kunstleri?

Memecylon kunstleri (Memecylon kunstleri) belongs to the Melastomataceae family within the Memecylon genus. Memecylon kunstleri is native to Peninsular Malaysia.

Memecylon kunstleri displays a compact, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 4 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Memecylon kunstleri produces small clusters of purple, blue, or white flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Memecylon kunstleri?

Water a young or newly planted Memecylon kunstleri 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.

Watering Frequency

Every 7–10 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Memecylon kunstleri Need?

Memecylon kunstleri thrives in partial shade to full sun.

Light Requirement

Partial shade to full sun

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Memecylon kunstleri Prefer?

Memecylon kunstleri tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. Memecylon kunstleri prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Temperature

60–80°F

Humidity

50–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Memecylon kunstleri?

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

How Often Should You Fertilize a Memecylon kunstleri?

Feed Memecylon kunstleri 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.

Fertilizing

Every 6 months

During the growing season

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

Where Should You Plant a Memecylon kunstleri?

Choose a spot with partial shade to full sun and well-draining, acidic soil with high organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Memecylon kunstleri is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

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.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Memecylon kunstleri?

Memecylon kunstleri can spread to about 3 ft (0.9 m) and reach about 4 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 3 ft (0.9 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.

How Do You Prune a Memecylon kunstleri?

Prune Memecylon kunstleri 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.

How Do You Care for a Memecylon kunstleri in Winter?

Memecylon kunstleri 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.

How Do You Propagate a Memecylon kunstleri?

Memecylon kunstleri can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to memecylon angustifolium plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Memecylon kunstleri Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Memecylon kunstleri, 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 Memecylon kunstleri?

Memecylon kunstleri is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, spider mites. 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 Memecylon kunstleri Need?

Memecylon kunstleri grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Memecylon kunstleri is native to Peninsular Malaysia. In cooler regions, grow Memecylon kunstleri as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 13a

Keep exploring plants

Memecylon kunstleri 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 Memecylon genus — compare its care with other Memecylon species on PlantoScan.

Memecylon is part of the Melastomataceae plant family — browse all Melastomataceae genera and species.

Memecylon kunstleri thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Memecylon Species

Other Memecylon species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Memecylon kunstleri King, family Melastomataceae (first published in J. Asiat. Soc. Bengal, Pt. 2, Nat. Hist. 69(1): 76 (1900)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Memecylon kunstleri, 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 13a, 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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