PlantFiles: Madeira vine
Anredera cordifolia

This plant is a menace and should not be considered as a garden plant. May not be a problem in colder areas, but with a warm climate and reliable water it will cause major issues.

Hundreds of thounsands of dollars are spent in NSW and Qld in Australia every year to control this weed.

This plant is invasive, destructive and very difficult to eradicate. Introduce to your garden at your peril! In many parts of Australia it is responsible for the destruction of rainforests. It covers the canopy and even breaks trees under its weight. It thrives under a wide set of conditions. It reproduces via tubers and, if the vine is cut or pulled from the trees, it sprinkles the ground thousands of tubers. It is difficult to poison.

Strongly advise caution. You may not be doing someone a favour by giving them this plant.

Maderia vine is a rapid growing vine with attractive heart-shaped leaves. The tuber grows with age but I do not find it invasive. ` The flowers are fragrant as well as attractive and loved by bees and butterflies. It is very easily grown given sufficient water and a trellis. This is a good plant to give to a child for his/her first plant experience. My grandmother gave me one when I was a child and I will always remember and treasure the memory.