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Cat's Claw Creeper Plant Care
Dolichandra unguis-cati (L.) L.G.Lohmann
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Dolichandra unguis-cati, commonly known as cat's claw creeper, funnel creeper, or cat's claw trumpet, In Hawai'i it is called hug-me-tight. is a rapidly growing climbing vine belonging to the family Bignoniaceae.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–85°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Cat's Claw Creeper?
Water Cat's Claw Creeper every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–85°F (16–29°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every month during the growing season.
What Is the Cat's Claw Creeper?
Cat's Claw Creeper (Dolichandra unguis-cati) belongs to the Bignoniaceae family within the Dolichandra genus. Cat's Claw Creeper is native to Brazil, Argentina. Cat's Claw Creeper is also known as Cat's Claw Vine.
Cat's Claw Creeper displays a climbing vine growth habit, reaching up to 30 ft tall with a spread of approximately 10 ft. Cat's Claw Creeper produces showy trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of pink, purple, or white.
How Often Should You Water a Cat's Claw Creeper?
Dolichandra unguis-cati requires watering every 7–14 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 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Cat's Claw Creeper Need?
Cat's Claw Creeper thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Cat's Claw Creeper Prefer?
Dolichandra unguis-cati grows best at temperatures of 60–85°F. Cat's Claw Creeper prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
60–85°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Cat's Claw Creeper?
Well-draining loamy soil mix with added perlite for improved drainage. Good drainage is essential for Cat's Claw Creeper to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Cat's Claw Creeper?
Feed Cat's Claw Creeper every month 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 month
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Cat's Claw Creeper?
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 Creeper?
Cat's Claw Creeper can be propagated through softwood cuttings, layering.
Is the Cat's Claw Creeper Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Cat's Claw Creeper, 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 Creeper?
Cat's Claw Creeper is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, whiteflies. 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 Cat's Claw Creeper Need?
Cat's Claw Creeper grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Cat's Claw Creeper is native to Brazil, Argentina. In cooler regions, grow Cat's Claw Creeper as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Cat's Claw Creeper 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 Dolichandra genus — compare its care with other Dolichandra species on PlantoScan.
Dolichandra is part of the Bignoniaceae plant family — browse all Bignoniaceae genera and species.
Cat's Claw Creeper 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: Dolichandra unguis-cati (L.) L.G.Lohmann, family Bignoniaceae (first published in Nuevo Cat. Fl. Vasc. Venezuela : 273 (2008)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Cat's Claw Creeper, 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: AI-generated illustration (labelled on the image).
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, 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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