Let those slender, wiry stems trail over the edge of a hanging basket, and you’ll see why Angel Vine is a favourite for adding airy, delicate charm. Also known as Maidenhair Vine or Wire Vine, this vigorous, evergreen climber is treasured for its fine, reddish-brown stems and its profusion of tiny, glossy, bright green leaves. Those heart-shaped to rounded leaves create a soft, lacy, cloud-like effect that brings lightness and movement to any planting. In summer, small, inconspicuous greenish-white to creamy-yellow flowers may appear, sometimes followed by small, fleshy, white-to-translucent fruits with a glossy black seed inside. But honestly, those elegant, cascading stems are the real show.
Native to New Zealand, this adaptable plant has proven wonderfully suited to the Western Cape’s temperate gardens. It thrives in full sun to partial shade, though in hotter inland areas, morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal to prevent leaf scorch. It demands well-drained soil and, once established, is moderately drought-tolerant, handling coastal and windy conditions with ease. However, it is sensitive to severe frost and needs a sheltered spot in colder inland valleys. With stems that can scramble up to 3–5 metres long if unsupported, it’s perfect for hanging baskets, containers, trellises, or as a fast-growing groundcover that will gently cascade over walls and banks.
Key Features:
- Tiny, glossy, bright green leaves on fine, wiry, reddish-brown stems
- Versatile trailing habit—ideal for hanging baskets, trellises, or groundcover
- Moderately drought-tolerant and wind-hardy once established
- Responds well to pruning and shaping
Gardening Note: Plant in well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade—morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal in hotter areas. Water regularly until established, then allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings. Prune in spring to shape, control growth, or rejuvenate leggy stems. In colder inland areas, protect from severe frost or grow in a movable container.
