Sweet Autumn Clematis Plant Care

Clematis terniflora DC.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Clematis terniflora is a plant in the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae. It is native to northeastern Asia.

🌼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 Sweet Autumn Clematis?

Water Sweet Autumn Clematis 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.

What Is the Sweet Autumn Clematis?

Sweet Autumn Clematis (Clematis terniflora) belongs to the Ranunculaceae family within the Clematis genus. Sweet Autumn Clematis is native to northeastern Asia. Sweet Autumn Clematis is also known as Japanese Clematis.

Sweet Autumn Clematis displays a climbing vine growth habit, reaching up to 15 ft tall with a spread of approximately 5 ft. Sweet Autumn Clematis produces large, showy flowers in various colors.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Sweet Autumn Clematis?

Clematis terniflora 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 Sweet Autumn Clematis Need?

Sweet Autumn Clematis thrives in full sun to part shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to part shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Sweet Autumn Clematis Prefer?

Clematis terniflora grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Sweet Autumn Clematis prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

50–75°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Sweet Autumn Clematis?

Rich, well-draining soil with plenty of organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Sweet Autumn Clematis to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Sweet Autumn Clematis?

Feed Sweet Autumn Clematis 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 Sweet Autumn Clematis?

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 Sweet Autumn Clematis?

Sweet Autumn Clematis 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 Sweet Autumn Clematis 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 Sweet Autumn Clematis?

Sweet Autumn Clematis 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 Sweet Autumn Clematis Need?

Sweet Autumn Clematis grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Sweet Autumn Clematis is native to northeastern Asia. In cooler regions, grow Sweet Autumn Clematis as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Sweet Autumn Clematis 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.

Sweet Autumn Clematis 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 terniflora DC., family Ranunculaceae (first published in Syst. Nat. 1: 137 (1817)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Sweet Autumn Clematis 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.

PlantoScan app icon

Identify Plants Like the
Sweet Autumn Clematis 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.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Free

to download

iOS & Android

platforms

Light & dark

mode

100,000+

species