A self-clinging evergreen vine that lays a flat, tight mat of small leaves over walls and columns. In shaded corners it gives a clean, green, almost architectural surface. It is slow at first, then vigorous, and it needs regular trimming to stay in place.
Living with it in the Phoenix Valley
Watering
Follow the shrub schedule in our Landscape Care guide. It needs steady water and does not handle long dry spells, especially in summer.
Pruning
Trim edges around windows, doors and rooflines regularly, and cut it back hard every few years. Removing older, stiffer branches keeps the small juvenile leaves on the wall.
Feeding
Yellowing between the veins is common in alkaline Phoenix soils and usually points to iron deficiency. An iron supplement helps.
Pests
Spider mites can show up in hot, dry, dusty summers. A rinse with water helps keep them down.
How our designers use it
Shaded walls and courtyards
Our designers use it on north- and east-facing walls to turn plain stucco or block into a flat, living green surface.
Columns and planters
It softens pilasters, raised planters and built-in seating with a neat, close-fitting texture.
A clean, architectural look
Kept trimmed, it reads as a tailored green plane rather than a loose vine.
Good to know
Walls and paint
The aerial roots grip tightly and can damage wood. Removing it later tends to leave marks on masonry and paint, so place it only where you want a long-term cover.
Around the pool
It has no thorns and little litter. Keep it on shaded walls; pool-side walls in full sun will scorch it.
