Photo: Line Juul NielsenCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Climbing fumewort Plant Care
Ceratocapnos claviculata (L.) Lidén
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Ceratocapnos claviculata, also known as the "climbing corydalis," is a unique plant with delicate, fern-like leaves and clusters of small pink flowers. It is native to Europe and Asia and is popular among plant enthusiasts for its charming appearance and ability to climb walls or trellises.
Every 7–10 days
Partial shade to full shade
60–75°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Climbing fumewort?
Water Climbing fumewort every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it partial shade to full shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–75°F (16–24°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 2 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Climbing fumewort Native To?
- Albania
- Austria
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- The Netherlands
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
What Is the Climbing fumewort?
Climbing fumewort (Ceratocapnos claviculata) belongs to the Papaveraceae family within the Ceratocapnos genus. Climbing fumewort is native to Europe, growing mostly near the Atlantic fringe.
Climbing fumewort displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Climbing fumewort produces small, delicate flowers in shades of pink, white, or purple.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Climbing fumewort?
Ceratocapnos claviculata requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Climbing fumewort Need?
Climbing fumewort thrives in partial shade to full shade. Avoid placing Climbing fumewort in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Partial shade to full shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Climbing fumewort Prefer?
Ceratocapnos claviculata grows best at temperatures of 60–75°F. Climbing fumewort prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
60–75°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Climbing fumewort?
Rich, well-draining soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Climbing fumewort to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Climbing fumewort?
Feed Climbing fumewort every 2 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 2 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Climbing fumewort?
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 Climbing fumewort?
Climbing fumewort can be propagated through division, seeds.
Is the Climbing fumewort Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Climbing fumewort, 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 Climbing fumewort?
Climbing fumewort is susceptible to aphids, slugs, snails. 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.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Climbing fumewort Need?
Climbing fumewort grows outdoors in USDA Zone 6a – 8b. It survives winters down to planting zone 6a. Climbing fumewort is native to Europe, growing mostly near the Atlantic fringe.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 6a – 8b
Keep exploring plants
Climbing fumewort 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 Ceratocapnos genus — compare its care with other Ceratocapnos species on PlantoScan.
Ceratocapnos is part of the Papaveraceae plant family — browse all Papaveraceae genera and species.
Climbing fumewort copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Ceratocapnos claviculata (L.) Lidén, family Papaveraceae (first published in Anales Jard. Bot. Madrid 41: 221 (1984)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Climbing fumewort, 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.
- Photo: Line Juul Nielsen, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 6a – 8b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- 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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