The Manacá plant (Brunfelsia pauciflora) is a captivating ornamental shrub known as “Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow” due to its distinctive color-changing flowers. This popular choice for gardeners offers a continuous display of evolving hues.
Understanding the Manacá Plant
The Manacá plant is a semi-deciduous shrub, typically growing 3 to 8 feet tall and spreading 4 to 6 feet wide, though some can reach 10 feet. It features lance-shaped, glossy, dark green leaves with paler undersides. Native to Brazil’s tropical and subtropical woodlands, it thrives outdoors in USDA hardiness zones 9 to 11 but can be grown indoors in cooler climates.
The common name “Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow” describes its unique flowering process. Each bloom opens deep violet-purple, fades to lighter lavender or pale blue on the second day, and turns white by the third before wilting. This transformation allows a single plant to display all three colors simultaneously. The five-lobed, flat flowers measure up to 2 inches across and often appear in clusters, providing continuous color.
Manacá Plant Care
Manacá plants require specific environmental conditions to flourish and produce vibrant blooms.
Light
Manacá plants perform well in full sun to partial shade. For optimal flowering, they benefit from several hours of direct sunlight daily. In regions with intense summer heat, provide protection from harsh midday sun to prevent leaf scorch. Insufficient light reduces bloom production.
Soil and Potting
Manacá prefers well-draining soil rich in organic matter. A slightly acidic pH (around 6) is beneficial and prevents leaf yellowing. Incorporate compost or mulch with acidic materials like pine needles or peat moss to maintain acidity and moisture. For containers, select pots with good drainage and use a soil-based potting mixture.
Watering
Manacá plants require consistent moisture; keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. For potted plants, check soil moisture daily, especially in warmer weather. Adjust watering frequency based on climate and season; less water is needed during cooler, dormant periods.
Temperature and Humidity
As a tropical plant, Manacá thrives in warm conditions and is sensitive to frost. While established plants might tolerate light frost and become deciduous in cooler months, they prefer temperatures above 50°F (10°C). High humidity is also beneficial. Placing potted plants on trays of damp pebbles can increase humidity, especially indoors.
Fertilizing
During the active growing season, regular fertilization supports vigorous growth and abundant flowering. Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10 N-P-K formulation, every two to four weeks. For outdoor plants, a full-strength application once a month is effective; container plants benefit from a half-strength solution every two weeks. Applying an acid fertilizer before new spring growth also promotes healthy development.
Pruning Manacá
Pruning Manacá plants maintains shape, encourages bushier growth, and promotes more blooms. The best time to prune is after the main flowering period, typically in spring or early summer, before new growth starts. This allows the plant to recover and set new flower buds.
To shape the shrub, remove dead, diseased, or crossing branches. Lightly trimming branch tips after flowering encourages denser growth and more flowers, as blooms occur on new growth. For potted plants, pruning keeps size manageable. A lighter trim is generally sufficient for garden plants.
Manacá Plant Toxicity
The Manacá plant (Brunfelsia pauciflora) contains toxic compounds and poses a risk if ingested by humans or animals. All parts are poisonous, with berries having a particularly high concentration of toxins. The plant contains brunfelsamidine, a toxic principle affecting the central nervous system.
Symptoms of poisoning in pets, especially dogs and cats, include vomiting, diarrhea, hypersalivation, lethargy, tremors, uncoordinated gait, and seizures. These symptoms can appear within hours of ingestion and may be severe, sometimes resembling strychnine poisoning. Keep Manacá plants out of reach of children and pets. If accidental ingestion occurs, immediately contact poison control or a veterinarian. Wearing gloves when handling the plant is also advisable, as it can cause skin irritation.