Prestonia quinquangularis

🌿 The Prestonia quinquangularis, commonly known as the Five-Angled Prestonia, is a vigorous tropical vine belonging to the Apocynaceae family (the same family as plumerias and oleanders). Native to the rainforests of Central and South America, this climbing plant thrives in humid, warm environments where it scrambles up trees and across forest floors. It's an intermediate-level plant that rewards growers with unique angular stems and lush foliage. Here's something fascinating: the plant's stems have five distinct ridges running their length, which is how it got its scientific name—quinquangularis means "five-angled" in Latin.
FOLIAGE AND GROWTH HABIT
This vine grows with enthusiasm, sending out climbing stems that can reach several feet in a single growing season. The leaves are glossy, deep green, and oval-shaped with pointed tips, arranged oppositely along the angular stems. Each leaf has a smooth, slightly leathery texture that catches light beautifully. The plant's most distinctive feature is its pentagonal stems, which feel ridged when you run your fingers along them.
FLOWER DETAILS
Prestonia quinquangularis produces small, tubular flowers that are typically white to pale yellow with a subtle, sweet fragrance. The blooms are delicate and star-shaped when fully open, appearing in clusters at the leaf nodes. While flowering is less frequent indoors than in its natural habitat, the plant may bloom during warmer months if given proper light and humidity. To encourage flowering, provide bright indirect light, maintain high humidity, and allow the plant to climb or trail freely without excessive pruning during spring and summer.
CARE INSTRUCTIONS

🌞 Light: Bright indirect light for 6-8 hours daily. Can tolerate some morning sun but protect from harsh afternoon rays.
💧 Water: Keep soil consistently moist during spring and summer, watering when the top inch feels dry. Reduce frequency in fall and winter. Bottom watering or thorough top watering works well—just ensure drainage.
🌡️ Humidity: Prefers 60-80% humidity. Will tolerate average home humidity but thrives with higher levels.
🪴 Soil: Well-draining, rich mix with peat, perlite, and orchid bark. Slightly acidic pH preferred.
🏺 Potting: Use a pot with drainage holes, 6-10 inches in diameter depending on plant size. Terracotta or plastic both work. Repot every 1-2 years in spring.
🌱 Growth rate: Fast-growing. Can add 2-3 feet in 6 months under ideal conditions, 4-6 feet in a year. Can reach 10-15 feet at maturity with support.
👩‍🌾 Fertilizing: Feed monthly during spring and summer with balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength. Skip fertilizing in fall and winter.
🐾 Pet friendly: No. Toxic to cats and dogs if ingested. Contains cardiac glycosides that can cause vomiting, drooling, and heart irregularities.

WHERE TO PUT IT
This vine looks stunning in a living room or sunroom where it can climb a moss pole, trellis, or be allowed to trail from a hanging basket. It works well in bathrooms with windows due to the natural humidity. Place it near east or west-facing windows for optimal light. Avoid dark corners, cold drafts near doors or windows in winter, and spots with direct afternoon sun that can scorch the leaves.