Grow Well Guides

Muehlenbeckia

With its intricate trailing vines and small round leaves, Muehlenbeckia adds a touch of whimsy and character to any garden.

Planting Calendar

Summer
Autumn
Winter
Spring

Muehlenbeckia are available throughout the year but are best planted from spring through to autumn.

Prepare

Muehlenbeckia is a hardy plant that thrives in harsh condition, tolerating some dryness and salt spray. Whether it's grown as a vine, shrub, clipped topiary or bouncy groundcover, Muehlenbeckia creates interesting structure and texture in a garden. There are 24 species of Muehlenbeckia, all flowering plants in the Polygonaceae family, five which are endemic to New Zealand.

Position

Plant in full sun to partial shade in a free draining soil rich in organic matter. Muehlenbeckia can also be grown in containers.

Soil

When planted into the ground Muehlenbeckia prefers a free-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. To improve the organic content in your soil, break up the soil and add Kings Compost and Kings Sheep Pellets then mix together well. When growing in containers, plant into Kings Container mix. This mix contains Saturaid, which helps with moisture retention in the soil.

Plant

When planting into the ground, gently tap the plant out of its pot. Dig a hole twice the depth and width of the plant’s root ball. Mix Kings Compost into your existing soil at a 50/50 ratio, add Kings Sheep Pellets then mix together. Backfill the hole with this soil, so that when planted the top of the plant’s roots sit level with the surrounding ground. Firm the soil down gently and water in well with Aquaticus Organic Garden Booster. In heavier clay soils, where drainage is likely to be an issue, plant onto a raised mound and sprinkle Gypsum Clay Breaker into the bottom of the hole, this helps slowly condition the soil and help to break down the clay. When planting into containers, plant into Kings Container Mix, as this has water retention crystals in it, which will help in keeping the soil moist.

Care

Watering

Watering is essential especially in the first year of planting to allow the roots to get well established. Water slowly, allowing the water to sink down into the roots, rather than just allowing it to run off the top of the surface of the soil.

Feeding

When planted in the ground liquid feed every month with Aquaticus Organic Garden Booster, from Spring through to the end of Autumn, this encourages root growth and increases the microbial activity in the soil. Monthly applications of Kings Sheep Pellets will help with soil conditioning and plant health. If planted into a container, feed with Kings Liquid Fast Food along with monthly applications of Aquaticus Organic Garden Booster this encourages strong roots and a healthy immune system.

Protecting

Muehlenbeckia are generally pest free. But must have a free draining soil to avoid root rot.

Mulching

Mulch around the base of the plants (making sure it is not in direct contact with the trunk) with Living Earth More than Mulch. Mulching helps to reduce weeds as well as aiding the soil to lock moisture in the ground.

Pruning

Prune only to maintain shape and control size.

Top Varieties

Muehlenbeckia astonii

A coastal divaricating shrub with a wiry interlacing habit. Small, bright-green heart-shaped leaves. Popular landscaping plant, providing great texture. Makes an attractive topiary or hedge. Attracts insects and lizards. Deciduous. Extremely hardy, tolerating dry conditions once established. Grow 1m x 1.5m

Muehlenbeckia axillaris

A divaricating wiry mat-forming shrub that grows 1-2m wide and up to 10cm tall. Wiry red-brown stems carry small dark green leaves. Small creamy white flowers are produced prolifically in summer followed on the female plants by opaque white fruit which geckos and birds love.

Muehlenbeckia complexa

Vigorous semi-deciduous New Zealand native vine that grows into a tangled mass and forms a dense mound up to 2m wide and 5m high or more.

Frequently Asked Questions