PlantFiles: Creeping Wire Vine, Maidenhair Vine, Mattress Vine
Muehlenbeckia axillaris 'Nana'

I'm in Salt Lake City, Utah, zone 6. It hasn't been invasive, I was afraid it wouldn't come back, but it did. It was on the north side of my house, not much water, no sun in the winter and it did very well until the ducks started picking at it. So I planted some in the sun in July, full sun, 100 degrees, dumb time to plant it, it barely survived, but did.
I wish it stayed green all winter.

I have experienced the serious invasive habit of this plant. It has taken over several neighbors' yards - all elderly folk who do little if any maintenance in their yards - and I constantly fight it's entrance into my back yard. It travels through and under fences, climbs trees and bushes and suffocates them. It is extremely difficult to remove as the runners travel quite deep, and the vine itself is very wiry and difficult to cut.

We live in zone 4 and I could not let this beautiful plant freeze. So I brought it in and set it on a bench in our entrance on the north side of the house. It got quite cool out there at times and only bright light, no sunshine, but looks like the day I brought it in. Now I want to transplant it in something larger and put it outside when the weather warms.What kind of soil should I plant it in?

I have tried this plant as an experimental in my garden. It has not spread as much as those have reported in warmer climates, but it does return faithfully year after year. The spot it is growing in receives very bright light, but not direct sun. I also grow it in pots which I over winter in my greenhouse. It does just fine in the greenhouse.

One small plant has spread to 30" x 48" in an area with only three or four hours afternoon sun daily. It's been a moderate grower....took three years to achieve this size. Frost and prolonged freezing in the teens turn the leaves black but the plant fully rebounds in the spring. Be patient. It's also done well and grown rapidly in pots with premium soil in full sun. Needs plenty of water.

Until I read the description of Muehlenbeckia axillaris I thought that's what I had. It was labeled that way. It must be 'nana' though because it is a very small, low creeper. It's beautiful. It has survived two winters here in zone 6b so far.

(zone 8b) This plant has not been invasive for me although it does spread. It has done well in shaded areas in my clay soil, but has not done well in sun. It's light airy texture has been a good addition to my garden and great addition to planters.

I had to vote negative to let people know this plant can be your worst invasive nightmare. I got 2 little 4" pots of this, planted them in the driest place in my yard (in sand), full sun for 8-10 hours a day. I pretty much ignored them, that is to say that after the 1st 2 weeks I didn't water them or anything & we were in horrible drought conditions. In 1 1/2 years they had covered an area approx. 14' x 16' & I had been trying to keep them trimmed back so they wouldn't crawl into everything else. They crawled over & under & through everything in their path rooting their thin stems all along the way. They were a BEAST to get rid of. I had to spray them but where they went into my juniper I had to pull & pull & pull & still have to keep a close watch for pop ups. That is what this plant can do in my zone. On a positive note: it could replace turf grass if all you want is a green yard with nothing else in it.

Maidenhair Vine is lovely in a large pot on a stand, which allows the vines to grow down the sides of the pot and lower.
I cut off stems, (woody) and stuck them in moist soil; even without hormone powder and the stems survived.
Maidenhair Vine is cold hardy, and seems to be evergreen as the leaves are still on my plant.
I would highly recommend it as a plant which adds interest and
texture in a porch setting.

great for rock gardens