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    Home » Gardening

    The Lovely Angel Vine Plant - Muehlenbeckia Complexa

    February 3, 2020 by Patti Estep 12 Comments

    Angel vine is the common name for Muehlenbeckia complexa a pretty wiry vine native to New Zealand that makes a beautiful houseplant.

    Angel vine plant in white pot

    Ever since I saw this plant growing in an old white urn online I knew I had to have it.

    I asked my daughter if she knew what it was and at first, she thought it was Peperomia Ruby Cascade. However, I later found out that it was Muehlenbeckia complexa commonly known as Angel Vine.

    This post contains some affiliate links (that means if you make a purchase after clicking a link, there's no additional cost to you, but I will earn a very small commission. ) i.e. as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

    Aerial view of angel vine plant

    This plant, Muehlenbeckia complexa, like most plants has numerous common names. Angel vine, maidenhair vine, and creeping wire vine are the most popular. It makes sense because as you can see it has this lovely vining habit with delicate little leaves.

    My plant is relatively new but it's already growing well and I can't wait to find an old white urn to grow it in. I always have a running "wish list" going for antique stores, thrift stores, and garage sales. One large white urn is now on that list.

    I love the look, and I think would make a great hanging plant too. 

    Angel Vine Care Indoors

    • Light Needs - Like many houseplants this one enjoys indirect light. Place near a window that gets good light. I have mine near an east-facing window.  However, if the light is strong (bright southern or western facing windows) you may need to have it filtered through a curtain sheer or place the plant further back in the room.
    • Watering Needs -  I've read that this plant likes humidity but it doesn't seem too fussy. Water when the top is very dry. Like most plants make sure it drains well and never sits in water. I found that my angel plant looks pretty dry about every 4 days at my house. That's a little more than most of my houseplants. Typically I water them once a week or less depending on the plant.
    • Maintenance - Trim as necessary. If you see any brown leaves or it looks too leggy to you feel free to give it a haircut.

     

    Maidenhair vine pot on top of another pot

    I still have mine in its nursery pot that I set in another white pot. See how nice it trails and vines down. 

    Angel vine topiary from Hymns and Verses
    Angel Vine plants are used here to make a beautiful topiary

    This vining habit also makes it a good candidate for making an angel vine topiary like this one from my friend Doreen from Hymns and Verses.

    Close of of leaves and stems of Muehlenbeckia complexa

    So far it's looking good and showing new growth.

    Soil from angel plant pot

    The soil is interesting. I don't know if you can really see from here but it looks like a tight mat of roots. I've been keeping an eye on it to see when it gets very dry at the top. Then I take it out of the white pot over to the sink for thorough watering. 

    Angel Vine Outdoors

    I was surprised to read that this plant is considered an aggressive ground cover by some people living in warmer climates such as California. 

    I didn't even realize that you could grow this outdoors. However, according to Monrovia it's even hardy to my Zone 6 garden. Apparently it gets pretty white flowers in the summer too.

    I have never seen anything like Muehlenbeckia complexa for sale at the nurseries around here. And, I think I might prefer it as a houseplant.

    However, if it turns out to be a vigorous grower maybe I'll propagate some and add it to some of my garden planters outside or make my own topiary.

    This might just be my favorite new plant.

    Patti signature

    More Beautiful Houseplants:

    Maidenhair Fern
    Pelia peperomioides
    String of Hearts
    Pothos
    Monstera deliciosa

     

    Angel Vine Plant in a white pot

     

    More Gardening

    • Maidenhair Fern - A Lovely Houseplant
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    • Hanging Teacup Planter Upcycle

    About Patti Estep

    Patti is the creator of Hearth and Vine, a home and garden blog filled with projects to inspire your creative side. She loves crafting, gardening, decorating and entertaining at her home in Pennsylvania. When she is not working on a project at home or searching for treasures at nurseries and thrift stores with her girlfriends, you’ll probably find her with family and friends, at a restaurant, or home party enjoying new and different food adventures.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Carol

      May 23, 2020 at 2:22 am

      Got mine at Trader Joes

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        May 23, 2020 at 6:14 am

        Trader Joes gets some great plants in from time to time. I haven't seen this one there but I now I'll be on the lookout.

        Reply
    2. Kamini

      May 12, 2020 at 10:27 am

      I just found this at my local nursery and with my points got it for $8! I’m so excited. I love this plant.

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        May 12, 2020 at 2:35 pm

        That's a great price. Enjoy!

        Reply
    3. Susan M

      February 03, 2020 at 9:56 pm

      You have such great taste in plants! I’ve never seen this one! I think we’d be good plant shopping friends : ).

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        February 05, 2020 at 10:46 am

        Thanks Susan. That would be fun for sure!

        Reply
    4. J Louise Dietzen

      February 03, 2020 at 11:17 am

      Thanks. Where can you purchase one?

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        February 03, 2020 at 12:01 pm

        More and more local nurseries are selling them in the houseplant department. Online I found one at Hirt's Garden. See the link below.  It's pretty small but I have had good success with their plants before. Also look for maidenhair vine, or creeping wire vine. They are other common names for Muehlenbeckia complexa.
        https://hirts.com/angel-vine-muehlenbeckia-houseplant-terrarium-fairy-garden-2-5-pot-1/?gclid=Cj0KCQiApt_xBRDxARIsAAMUMu8ezvHxWUBOemtRsSNC1vp_35K0J1g9_MyjHE4AXm7pmiuSHEjzMEYaAvvDEALw_wcB  

        Reply
    5. Deborah

      February 03, 2020 at 11:12 am

      Thankyou, i always like learning about plants and creative ways of enjoying & sharing their beauty.
      Im new here & so thrilling in my experience with you!
      Blessings!💕🌹💕

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        February 03, 2020 at 11:55 am

        You are so welcome Deborah. Thank you for the kind comment. ♥

        Reply
    6. MrsSW

      February 03, 2020 at 10:02 am

      Hi Patti - it's really nice as a topiary, I see why you were drawn to it.
      Sheila

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        February 03, 2020 at 10:15 am

        Thanks Sheila. Originally I saw it in the large white urn I mentioned in the post and then I saw Doreen's post about using it as a topiary. Isn't it funny how you start to notice something everywhere you go once you focus on it? 

        Reply

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