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    • Photo of Muehlenbeckia complexa foliage by Little Prince of Oregon

    Photo by Little Prince of Oregon

    Used with permission, all rights reserved

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    Muehlenbeckia complexa

    Also Known As

    • Wire Grass
    • Wire Vine or Maidenhair Vine

    Plant type

    perennial, groundcover, vine

    size

    • H: 6"
    • W: 20'-30'

    planting zones

    • 8a-10b

    More Options

    Muehlenbeckia complexa plant details

    Muehlenbeckia complexa is a fast-growing broadleaf semi-evergreen perennial groundcover vine with green foliage. In spring and summer white flowers emerge. Features glossy texture. Grows well with sun - mostly shade and even moisture - occasional water. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something wind tolerant.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Muehlenbeckia complexa

    Plant type: perennial groundcover vine
    Plant family: polygonaceae
    Foliage: semi-evergreen green
    Mature size: 20 FT - 30 FT - wide, 6 IN tall
    Flowers: white blooms in spring and summer
    Uses: container plant, edging plant, rock garden, year round interest

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Muehlenbeckia complexa

    USDA Zones: 8a - 10b
    Sun exposure: sun - mostly shade
    Watering frequency: even moisture - occasional
    Resistant to: wind
    Soil needs: well-drained

    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    From the mountains of New Zealand, this 4-8' climber/mounder version of the more common groundcover has similar tiny leaves and spikes of white flowers. S-PSh/M

    By: Forestfarm

    Zn 7. Light green leaves. Dense, evergreen.

    By: Little Prince of Oregon

    A quick growing vine with white summer flowers and tiny round leaves floating on black wiry vines. Native to New Zealand. 12'. Mass, shape, or train vertically. Especially loves the coast and tolerates wind, salt, and sand.Minimum temperature: 10 °F

    By: Dancing Oaks Nursery

    A delicate, but sturdy plant for the miniature garden that is normally used for a groundcover with tiny stems that are deep red, contrasting nicely against the leaves. Grow it up a miniature trellis or arbor for fun. Train over an arbor or along a fence. Outdoor. Part sun/Part shade. Indoor: bright indirect, divide every second year. Regular water. In a pot, divide every couple of years to keep it happy. In the ground can be invasive in some areas. Judiciously divide or shovel-prune in late spring to control growth. Cold hardy to zones 8 - 10. Heat hardy zones 10 - 8.

    By: Two Green Thumbs Miniature Garden Center

    Often referred to as wire grass, this particularly useful, New Zealand ground cover or container plant grows to only 6" in height, spreading slowly. Dark, wiry stems with shiny, evergreen leaves. Sun to part shade in almost any soil but needing some summer water where particularly dry. Very good around steps or larger specimens such as New Zealand flax. Frost hardy to 8 °F, upper edge of USDA zone 7. Sometimes sold as M. axillaris.

    By: Cistus Nursery

    Gardening facts about Muehlenbeckia complexa plant

    How to Grow Muehlenbeckia complexa

    • Sun Exposure

      • sun - mostly shade

    • Water Needs

      • even moisture - occasional

    • Soil Needs

      • adaptable
      • well-drained

    • Special Situation

      • wind tolerant

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • green

    • Flower Color

      • white

    • Flower Season

      • summer
      • spring

    • Foliage Season

      • semi-evergreen

    • Texture

      • glossy

    See other plant types of Muehlenbeckia for your garden

    Muehlenbeckia complexa 'Tricolor'

    aka Muehlenbeckia axillaris 'Tricolor', Muehlenbeckia axillaris 'Variegated', Muehlenbeckia complexa 'Variegated', Tricolor Wire Grass, Variegated Maidenhair Vine, Creeping Wire Vine

    Plant Type

    Perennial, Groundcover, Vine

    Zones

    7a-10b

    Size

    Height: 4"-8"

    Width: 12"-24"

    • sun - mostly shade
    • even moisture - occasional
    Photo of Muehlenbeckia complexa 'Tricolor' flower by Cistus Nursery
    View Plant

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    Muehlenbeckia axillaris

    aka Muehlenbeckia axillaris 'Nana', Angel Vine, Creeping Wire Vine, Maidenhair Vine, Mattress Vine, Miniature Fairy Garden Vine

    Plant Type

    Perennial, Groundcover, Vine

    Zones

    6a-10b

    Size

    Height: 3"-6"

    Width: 4'-6'

    • sun - shade
    • even moisture - drought tolerant
    Photo of Muehlenbeckia axillaris foliage by Anna Kullgren
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    Muehlenbeckia astonii

    aka Shrubby Tororaro, Wiggy-wig Bush

    Plant Type

    Shrub

    Zones

    7a-10b

    Size

    Height: 12"-36"

    Width: 2'-5'

    • sun - mostly shade
    • drought tolerant
    Photo of Muehlenbeckia astonii form by Wilma Verburg
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    Muehlenbeckia ephedroides

    Plant Type

    Shrub, Groundcover

    Zones

    7b-10b

    Size

    Height: 12"-18"

    Width: 24"-120"

    • sun - mostly sun
    • occasional - drought tolerant
    Photo of Muehlenbeckia ephedroides by Patricia Cunningham
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    Muehlenbeckia complexa 'Texture Big Leaf'

    aka Muehlenbeckia complexa 'Big Leaf', Muehlenbeckia complexa 'Large Leaf Form', Big Leaf Wire Vine, Large Leaf Wire Vine

    Plant Type

    Perennial, Groundcover, Vine

    Zones

    7a-11

    Size

    Height: 1'-10'

    Width: 1'-10'

    • sun - bright shade
    • regular - drought tolerant
    Photo of Muehlenbeckia complexa 'Texture Big Leaf' foliage by Little Prince of Oregon
    View Plant

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    +3 more Muehlenbeckia
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