Muehlenbeckia spp.

How to Grow Wire Vine

Creeping Wire Vine is a very versatile perennial plant. It is a climber with twining reddish stems and small round leaves. It can be used as a groundcover and is also a popular plant choice for small size topiary. Muehlenbechia can be used as a low border with regular pruning and looks great in rockeries, or even used in a hanging basket. Its leaves resembles a maidenhair fern and is often referred to as the Maidenhair climber.

Full sun to full shade

Dry tolerant once established in ground

Well drained soil

Suited to all climates

How to grow wire vine in a garden

Step 1

Choose a sunny or shady spot with well drained soil. This versatile plant will grow almost anywhere. Enrich the soil with Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser. If the soil is heavy or clay based, add gypsum and fork in well.

Step 2

Dig the planting hole twice as wide and to the same depth as the root-ball. Remove the shrub from the container, gently tease the roots and cut away any circled or tangled roots.

Step 3

Position in hole and backfill with soil, gently firming down.

Step 4

Form a raised or doughnut shaped ring of soil around the outer edge of the plant's root zone. This helps keep water where it's needed. Always water in well after planting to settle the soil around the roots and keep the soil moist for several weeks while the new plant establishes.

Step 5

Mulch around the base with organic mulch like bark chips, sugarcane or pea straw, keeping it away from the base of the plant.

Step 6

Water deeply once or twice a week during establishing, but little extra watering is required once established in ground.

Step 7

Feed every 6-8 weeks from spring to autumn with Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser. Growth will slow dramatically in the cooler months.

How to grow wire vine in a pot

Step 1

Choose a pot 200 mm wide and deep, or larger if using as a topiary. Position in full sun or shade.

Step 2

Fill chosen pot with quality potting mix, such as Yates Potting Mix with Dynamic Lifter. Remove the plant from the container, gently tease the roots and cut away any circled or tangled roots.

Step 3

Position in hole and backfill with potting mix, gently firming down. Water in well.

Step 4

Water deeply, and then once or twice a week, depending on weather conditions.

Step 5

Feed every 6-8 weeks from spring to autumn with Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser.

Growing tips

Prune in spring to help new growth.
Regular pruning during active growing season to control the rapid growth during warmer month.
Wire vine is tolerant of traffic.
A vigorous grower when the weather is warm, this attractive plant can smother slower/small plants if grown in close proximity or not trained/pruned as a topiary.
Can grow in full sun to full shade in cold to sub tropical areas.
Dry tolerant once established in ground. Regular watering in pots.