Consulta Plantas

Care of the climbing plant Muehlenbeckia complexa or Maidenhair vine

The genus Muehlenbeckia, family Polygonaceae, comprises 20 species of herbaceous plants native to South America, Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. Some species are: Muehlenbeckia complexa, Muehlenbeckia hastulata, Muehlenbeckia astonii, Muehlenbeckia florulenta.

Common names: Maidenhair vine, Necklace vine, Australian ivy, Wire vine, Scrambling Pohuehue, Maidenhair creeper, Scrub pohuehue. This species is native to New Zealand.

They are semi-perennial herbaceous climbing or crawling plants with purple sarmentous stems that reach 5 meters (16.4 feet) in length. The abundant leaves are small, round in shape and bright green. The flowers are yellowish-white but very small. They bloom during the second half of summer.

This fast-growing plant is used to cover slopes, to cover walls and pergolas (it needs supports) and in hanging pots on terraces and in brightly lit interiors. Maidenhair vine is ideal for coastal gardens due to its resistance to wind and salinity.

Muehlenbeckia complexa prefers full sun exposure but also grows in semi-shade. It resists frosts down to -10 ºC (14 ºF); it can lose the leaves in the cold and sprout again in spring.

Australian ivy can grow in poor, sandy soils but prefers that they contain organic matter and be well drained.

Water regularly (especially in summer) waiting for the substrate to dry; Wire vine does not resist flooding but they do resist several days of drought.

Fertilize with compost or manure in early spring.

Prune in late winter to control growth as they tend to become invasive plants.

Muehlenbeckia complexa is a resistant plant to the usual pests and diseases.

Maidenhair creeper is propagated from seeds sown in spring.

Images of the climbing plant Muehlenbeckia complexa or Maidenhair vine