Fragrant Virgin's Bower Plant Care

Clematis flammula L.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Clematis flammula, the fragrant virgin's bower, is a species of flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae. This deciduous climbing plant is native to southern Europe and northern Africa, but it is cultivated worldwide as an ornamental plant in gardens.

🌼Perennials🍃Climbers & Vines
Water

Every 7–10 days

Light

Full sun to part shade

Temp

50–75°F

Humidity

40–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Fragrant Virgin's Bower?

Water Fragrant Virgin's Bower every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to part shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 4 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.

Where Is the Fragrant Virgin's Bower Native To?

Native range19 countries

What Is the Fragrant Virgin's Bower?

Fragrant Virgin's Bower (Clematis flammula) belongs to the Ranunculaceae family within the Clematis genus. Fragrant Virgin's Bower is native to southern Europe and northern Africa. Fragrant Virgin's Bower is also known as Sweet Clematis.

Fragrant Virgin's Bower displays a climbing vine growth habit, reaching up to 15 ft tall with a spread of approximately 5 ft. Fragrant Virgin's Bower produces large, showy flowers in various colors.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Fragrant Virgin's Bower?

Clematis flammula 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 Fragrant Virgin's Bower Need?

Fragrant Virgin's Bower thrives in full sun to part shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to part shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Fragrant Virgin's Bower Prefer?

Clematis flammula grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Fragrant Virgin's Bower prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

50–75°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Fragrant Virgin's Bower?

Rich, well-draining soil with plenty of organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Fragrant Virgin's Bower to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Fragrant Virgin's Bower?

Feed Fragrant Virgin's Bower every 4 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 4 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 Fragrant Virgin's Bower?

Repot every 2-3 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 Fragrant Virgin's Bower?

Fragrant Virgin's Bower can be propagated through softwood cuttings, layering, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to italian clematis plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Fragrant Virgin's Bower Toxic to Pets and Children?

Toxic (caution)

Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.

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 Fragrant Virgin's Bower?

Fragrant Virgin's Bower is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, slugs. 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 Fragrant Virgin's Bower Need?

Fragrant Virgin's Bower grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Fragrant Virgin's Bower is native to southern Europe and northern Africa. In cooler regions, grow Fragrant Virgin's Bower as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Fragrant Virgin's Bower 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 Clematis genus — compare its care with other Clematis species on PlantoScan.

Clematis is part of the Ranunculaceae plant family — browse all Ranunculaceae genera and species.

Fragrant Virgin's Bower thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Clematis Species

Other Clematis species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Clematis flammula L., family Ranunculaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 544 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Fragrant Virgin's Bower is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
  • 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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