Cat's claw creeper (Dolichandra unguis-cati)
Care, watering, light and tips for Cat's claw creeper on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Bignoniaceae
- Difficulty: Easy to care for
- Watering: every 7 days
- Light: Partial shade
- Temperature: 10–30 °C
- Toxicity: Toxic to pets
About Cat's claw creeper
Dolichandra unguis-cati, commonly known as Cat's Claw Creeper or Catclaw Vine, is a vigorous woody climber from the Bignoniaceae family, characterized by its trifoliate leaves with claw-like tendrils that enable it to climb. It produces striking yellow trumpet-shaped flowers, which cover the plant in spring and summer. It is ideal for covering walls, pergolas, and fences, providing abundant blooms and dense foliage.
Native range
Tropical Americas, from Mexico to Argentina and the Caribbean
Care tips
It requires full sun to partial shade for optimal flowering and vigorous growth. Watering should be moderate, allowing the substrate to dry slightly between waterings, and more frequent in warm periods. It prefers well-drained and fertile soils, adapting to a wide range of soil types. A common mistake is not controlling its growth, as it can become invasive and damage structures if not pruned regularly.
How to save a dying Cat's claw creeper
- Warning signs
- Yellowish or brown leaves, wilting and lack of vigor. No flowering if it's the season.
- First aid
- Move to partial shade if in full sun, water deeply if soil is dry. Check drainage.
- What kills it
- Excessive direct sun and prolonged extreme dryness, or constant waterlogging rotting roots.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if roots are not completely rotted. It's very resilient and recovers well.