Cat's Claw Plant Care
Cathormion umbellatum (Vahl) Kosterm.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Cathormion is a genus of flowering plants in the family Fabaceae. It contains a single species, Cathormion umbellatum, a shrub or tree which ranges from India to Indochina, Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi, the Lesser Sunda Islands, Maluku, New Guinea, and northern Australia.
Partial to full sun
At a glance
How do you care for Cat's Claw?
Cat's Claw grows best in partial to full sun.
What Is the Cat's Claw?
Cat's Claw (Cathormion umbellatum) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Cathormion genus.
Cat's Claw displays a vining, climbing shrub growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Cat's Claw produces small clusters of pink, purple, or white pea-like flowers.
What Light Does the Cat's Claw Need?
Cat's Claw thrives in partial to full sun.
Light Requirement
Partial to full sun
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Cat's Claw?
Well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Cat's Claw to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Cat's Claw?
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 Cat's Claw?
Cat's Claw can be propagated through seeds, division of root ball.
Is the Cat's Claw Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Cat's Claw, 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 Cat's Claw?
Cat's Claw 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
Cat's Claw 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.
Cat's Claw 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 umbellatum (Vahl) Kosterm., family Fabaceae (first published in Bull. Organ. Natuurw. Onderz. Indonesië 20: 12 (1954)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Cat's Claw, 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.
Identify Plants Like the
Cat's Claw Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species