Marsdenia
( marz - DEN - ee - uh )
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At-A-Glance InformationThis genus includes tropical plants native to Asia, Africa, Australia, and the Americas. Species are commonly called Bridal Bouquet or Milk Vine, and can take the form of evergreen or deciduous woody vines or shrubs. Flowers produced by these plants are star-shaped and often highly fragrant. They can be white to greenish-yellow or pink, depending on the species cultivated. Use these plants to add fragrance to structures, as vertical screening or privacy plants, in pollinator gardens, or as members of cut flower gardens. Take care when planting Marsdenia in the landscape, as the plant parts of some species are highly toxic to pets and humans if ingested.
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Marsdenia Species and Varietals
The genus Marsdenia includes between 100 and 300 species, and is a member of the plant family Apocynaceae. The plants in this genus are closely related to those in Stephanotis and Hoya. They grow well in USDA hardiness zones 10 through 12. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
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Marsdenia floribunda (Stephanotis floribunda) (Madagascar Jasmine, Waxflower, Hawaiian Wedding Flower, Bridal Wreath) This species is sparsely branched and can reach up to 20 feet long at maturity. Leaves are dark green and glossy, and flowers are stark white and fragrant. Blooms pop in summertime. Despite its common name, this plant is not related to true Jasmine. There is a variegated cultivar of this species with white to yellow edging and markings on leaves. |
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Caring for Marsdenia
Take care when planting Marsdenia in the landscape, as the plant parts of some species are highly toxic to pets and humans if ingested. These vines should ideally be receiving between 6 and 8 hours of direct light each day, and will flower and produce the best foliage the more sun they get. Some afternoon protection from sun is needed in particularly hot areas to avoid over-stressing the plant or foliage sunburn. They prefer well-draining soil with a pH of between 6.0 and 7.0. If local soils are compacted, do not drain well, or are particularly poor in nutrients, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic matter or compost before installing. Apply a thick layer of mulch around the base of the plant after installation, ensuring that mulch stays at least a few inches away from the stems. This will increase soil moisture retention, suppress weed growth, and maintain a constant soil temperature.
Keep the soil moist while plants establish a strong root system; mature plants are considered somewhat drought-tolerant, but they do appreciate consistent moisture during the growth and flowering season. Foliage can be trimmed back at any time of the year to control growth and remove dead, damaged and diseased stems and leaves. Doing so will keep the plant at its healthiest form. Pinch young plants to encourage a bushy habit to form. Fertilize plants yearly for the best show of blooms with a dressing of organic compost applied around the base of the vine. Work the compost into the soil a bit, and then replace the mulch around the base. These plants can live for 10 to 15 years or more in the garden before needing to be replaced.
Caring for Marsdenia in Containers
Marsdenia vines are wonderful in the ground, but can also be grown in containers. Choose a container that is at least a few inches wider and deeper than the nursery pot or root ball. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow for excess water to flow away. Fill with a well-draining potting mix amended with organic material and perlite, and top with a layer of mulch to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water regularly as the plant establishes itself in its new home. Once established, waterings can be lessened. Marsdenia plants grown in containers will need more frequent irrigation than those grown in the ground. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Prune to remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time during the growing season. Every few years, check the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not outgrowing its root space. If roots are growing through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, it is a good indication that it needs to be potted up; choose a slightly larger container and repot.
Keep the soil moist while plants establish a strong root system; mature plants are considered somewhat drought-tolerant, but they do appreciate consistent moisture during the growth and flowering season. Foliage can be trimmed back at any time of the year to control growth and remove dead, damaged and diseased stems and leaves. Doing so will keep the plant at its healthiest form. Pinch young plants to encourage a bushy habit to form. Fertilize plants yearly for the best show of blooms with a dressing of organic compost applied around the base of the vine. Work the compost into the soil a bit, and then replace the mulch around the base. These plants can live for 10 to 15 years or more in the garden before needing to be replaced.
Caring for Marsdenia in Containers
Marsdenia vines are wonderful in the ground, but can also be grown in containers. Choose a container that is at least a few inches wider and deeper than the nursery pot or root ball. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow for excess water to flow away. Fill with a well-draining potting mix amended with organic material and perlite, and top with a layer of mulch to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water regularly as the plant establishes itself in its new home. Once established, waterings can be lessened. Marsdenia plants grown in containers will need more frequent irrigation than those grown in the ground. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Prune to remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time during the growing season. Every few years, check the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not outgrowing its root space. If roots are growing through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, it is a good indication that it needs to be potted up; choose a slightly larger container and repot.
Propagation
Marsdenia can be propagated either by using cuttings or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your Milk Vine, follow the instructions below:
Propagating Marsdenia by Cutting
Propagating Marsdenia by Seed
Propagating Marsdenia by Cutting
- Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. A good substrate for propagation of cuttings is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
- In spring or early summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
- Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
- Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new shrub.
Propagating Marsdenia by Seed
- Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
- Harvest your seeds. The seeds are located inside of large seed pods left behind after flowers have faded. Cut them from the vines when they are fully mature, and bring them indoors. Cut them open, remove the seeds, and then carefully remove the feathery attachments.
- Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 7-14 days from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
- Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.
Marsdenia plants produce hard pods that contain between 20 and 400 seeds.
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Seeds are flat, oblong, and brown to black and have long, silky white hairs attached to them for wind dispersal.
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Problems and Pests
Marsdenia vines are susceptible to the following issues and pests in the landscape or indoors:
- Mealybugs
- Spider Mites
- Aphids
- Root Rot
- Sooty Mold
Gallery
Marsdenia vines are popular in tropical areas.
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Marsdenia blooms have a highly intense, sweet, floral fragrance often compared with that of Jasmine.
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These vines need a sturdy structure to climb.
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