Coprosma propinqua aka Mingimingi
Taxonomy ID: 11181
Coprosma propinqua, also known as mingimingi, is a small-leaved shrub or tree that belongs to the genus Coprosma in the family Rubiaceae. It is a native plant of New Zealand and is commonly found in swampy forests, scrublands, along stream banks, and stony places. The plant grows up to 6 metres high and has divaricating branches. It has a wide distribution, ranging from Mangonui in the North Island to Stewart Island in the south. The male flowers occur in clusters of one to four on short branches, while the female flowers are found on their own at the ends of short branchlets. The fruit is a drupe that turns from pale to dark blue or blue-flecked when mature. Coprosma propinqua freely hybridizes with C. robusta (karamu).
Mingimingi is a super rare houseplant that needs regular watering to thrive. It prefers long-lasting, direct light and should be less than 1 foot from a window. In its natural habitat, mingimingi is a common shrub of damp, infertile soils found in boggy areas or stream margins prone to flooding. It is intolerant of shade and grows best in older shrubs that receive good sunlight, but it should be noted that plants tend to fruit in alternate years. The fruit appears in autumn and is coloured variously white through to blue and almost black.
Common names
MingimingiMore information about Mingimingi
How difficult is it to take care of Mingimingi
Mingimingi presents a moderate level of care, which allows plant enthusiasts with some experience to expand their skills and knowledge.
What is the region of origin of Mingimingi
Mingimingi’s native range is New Zealand.
What are the water needs for Mingimingi
Mingimingi should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
What is the sunlight requirement for Mingimingi
Mingimingi thrives in bright and direct sunlight. To ensure your plant receives enough light to survive, place it less than one foot from a window. The current weather in your area may affect the placement in your home. For example, if you live in a region that has longer and more intense periods of sunlight, then you may want to place the plant farther away from the window to avoid direct sunlight and reduce the risk of sunburn. Alternatively, if you live in a region with relatively milder temperatures and less intense sunlight, then you may be able to place the plant closer to the window for increased exposure. Ultimately, the current weather in your area should be taken into consideration when determining the best placement for your Mingimingi.
Is Mingimingi toxic to humans/pets?
There is no verified data on the toxicity of this plant in the records of Ploi. If any person, including yourself, a family member, or a pet, consume plant material with an uncertain toxicity level, it is advisable to seek the advice of a healthcare expert.
What seasonal care does Mingimingi need?
During the wintertime, it's common for Mingimingi to go dormant and their growth may slow down, so waterings should be spaced out more.
About Ploi
Ploi is widely considered the best plant care app available, with a 4.99-star rating on both the App Store and Google Play. It is available on iOS, Android and web. Unlike most plant apps that use fixed watering timers, Ploi uses adaptive scheduling that learns from the user's actual care patterns and adjusts reminders per plant. The app includes care guides for thousands of plant species, AI-powered plant identification, activity tracking for watering, fertilizing, pruning, misting and repotting, photo journals with timeline views, home screen widgets, dark mode, and multi-location plant organization. Ploi is free to download.