Purple Pleasure Mikania, botanically known as Mikania scandens ‘Purple Pleasure’, is a captivating ornamental plant cherished for its vibrant foliage. Its striking purple coloration offers a unique aesthetic, making it a popular choice for enhancing indoor plant collections. This plant provides year-round color without relying on blooms, adding a distinctive touch to any space with its rich, deep purple leaves.
Understanding Purple Pleasure Mikania
Purple Pleasure Mikania, often called “Plush Vine” due to its fuzzy leaves, is a bushy vining plant. Its leaves are typically green with a pronounced purplish tint, and the entire plant can exhibit a purplish aura, especially in bright light. The vines and leaf veins are also distinctly purple.
This plant is classified within the Mikania genus, known for its vining or climbing habits and attractive foliage. Native to Central and South America, it thrives naturally in tropical and subtropical regions, typically growing in moist, shaded environments like forests or along rivers.
As a houseplant, it is a relatively small plant that can be grown as an indoor groundcover, a vine, or a trailing plant in hanging baskets. It quickly grows and trails, making it an appealing choice for various decorative displays.
Cultivating Purple Pleasure Mikania
Light
Purple Pleasure Mikania thrives in bright, indirect light conditions. Placing it near a south or east-facing window can provide sufficient light, but direct, harsh sunlight should be avoided to prevent leaf scorching. Overexposure to intense sun can also diminish the vibrancy of its purple coloration. If the plant shows signs of fading leaf color, it likely indicates insufficient light.
Water
Consistent moisture is important for the health of Purple Pleasure Mikania, but overwatering must be avoided to prevent root rot. The soil should be kept evenly moist, not soggy. A good practice is to water the plant when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Signs of overwatering include yellowing or wilting leaves, and mushy roots.
Soil
A well-draining potting mix that still retains some moisture is ideal for Purple Pleasure Mikania. Many houseplant enthusiasts recommend using an African Violet potting mix for its suitable drainage properties. Alternatively, a mixture containing peat moss, perlite, and organic matter provides good drainage while maintaining necessary moisture. The soil pH should be slightly acidic to neutral, ideally within a range of 6.0 to 7.0 for optimal growth.
Temperature and Humidity
Purple Pleasure Mikania prefers warm temperatures, ideally ranging between 65°F and 85°F (18°C and 29°C). Temperatures below 50°F (10°C) can cause damage or even be fatal to the plant. It also requires high humidity, typically between 50-70%. To increase humidity in a home environment, placing the plant on a pebble tray filled with water or using a room humidifier can be beneficial.
Fertilizer
During its active growing season, typically spring and summer, Purple Pleasure Mikania benefits from regular fertilization. A balanced liquid fertilizer, diluted to half the recommended strength, can be applied every 2-4 weeks. Excessive fertilization should be avoided as it can lead to leggy growth.
Propagating Purple Pleasure Mikania
Propagating Purple Pleasure Mikania is most effectively done through stem cuttings. Select healthy stems and use clean pruning shears to make a diagonal cut just below a leaf node.
After taking the cuttings, remove any lower leaves that would be submerged in water to prevent rot. The prepared cuttings can be placed in a jar of clean water, with the water changed every few days. Roots typically develop within weeks.
Once roots have sufficiently formed, the cuttings can be transplanted into a pot filled with a well-draining potting mix.
Addressing Common Challenges
Purple Pleasure Mikania can experience leggy growth, where stems become elongated with sparse foliage. Regularly pinching back the growing tips helps promote branching and encourages a fuller, bushier appearance. Pruning also maintains the desired shape and removes any dead or damaged foliage.
Common houseplant pests such as spider mites, aphids, and mealybugs can affect Purple Pleasure Mikania. Regular inspection helps in early detection and intervention. If spider mites are present, increasing humidity can help, as they prefer dry air. For mealybugs, applying a suitable insecticide may be necessary.
Yellowing leaves can indicate overwatering, while browning leaves around the tips and edges often point to insufficient humidity or inconsistent watering. Ensuring proper light, water, and humidity levels helps prevent these issues.
Is Purple Pleasure Mikania Invasive?
The question of invasiveness is relevant for plants within the Mikania genus, as some species, like Mikania micrantha, are known to be aggressive and invasive. However, Mikania scandens ‘Purple Pleasure’ is generally cultivated as an ornamental houseplant or container plant. In typical indoor settings or temperate outdoor gardens, it is not considered invasive.
While Mikania scandens is native to parts of the eastern and central United States, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, its behavior as a cultivated ornamental differs from its wild counterparts. When grown in suitable indoor or contained environments, ‘Purple Pleasure’ is a manageable and attractive plant.