Catclaw Plant Care
Cathormion berteriana (DC.) Burkart
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Pseudalbizzia berteroana, the Bertero albizia, is a species of plant in the family Fabaceae. It is found in Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, and Panama.
Partial to full sun
At a glance
How do you care for Catclaw?
Catclaw grows best in partial to full sun.
Where Is the Catclaw Native To?
What Is the Catclaw?
Catclaw (Cathormion berteriana) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Cathormion genus. Catclaw is native to Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, and Panama.
Catclaw displays a vining, climbing shrub growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Catclaw produces small clusters of pink, purple, or white pea-like flowers.
What Light Does the Catclaw Need?
Catclaw thrives in partial to full sun.
Light Requirement
Partial to full sun
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Catclaw?
Well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Catclaw to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Catclaw?
Repot every 1-2 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Catclaw?
Catclaw can be propagated through seeds, division of root ball. Similar propagation techniques also apply to cat's claw plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Catclaw Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Catclaw, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Catclaw?
Catclaw is susceptible to aphids, leafhoppers, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
Keep exploring plants
Catclaw is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Cathormion genus — compare its care with other Cathormion species on PlantoScan.
Cathormion is part of the Fabaceae plant family — browse all Fabaceae genera and species.
Catclaw thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Cathormion berteriana (DC.) Burkart, family Fabaceae — World Flora Online record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Catclaw, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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