Photo: no rights reservedCC0 1.0via iNaturalist
Stinkvine Plant Care
Paederia foetida L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Paederia foetida, also known as skunk vine, is a unique plant with dark green leaves that have a strong odor when crushed. It is native to tropical regions in Asia and Africa and is popular among plant enthusiasts for its unusual scent and attractive foliage.
Every 7–10 days
Bright indirect light
70–85°F
60–80%
At a glance
How do you care for Stinkvine?
Water Stinkvine every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect light. It prefers temperatures of 70–85°F (21–29°C) and 60–80% humidity. Fertilize it every 2 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Stinkvine Native To?
What Is the Stinkvine?
Stinkvine (Paederia foetida) belongs to the Rubiaceae family within the Paederia genus. Stinkvine is native to temperate, and tropical Asia. Stinkvine is also known as Sour Creeper, Fetid Paederia.
Stinkvine displays a vining, climbing growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Stinkvine produces small, inconspicuous flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Stinkvine?
Paederia foetida 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 Stinkvine Need?
Stinkvine thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Stinkvine in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect light
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Stinkvine Prefer?
Paederia foetida grows best at temperatures of 70–85°F. Stinkvine prefers humidity levels of 60–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
70–85°F
Humidity
60–80%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Stinkvine?
Moist, well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Stinkvine to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Stinkvine?
Feed Stinkvine 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 Stinkvine?
Repot every 1-2 years in 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 Stinkvine?
Stinkvine can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to woolly paederia plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Stinkvine 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 Stinkvine?
Stinkvine is susceptible to aphids, 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.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Stinkvine Need?
Stinkvine grows outdoors in USDA Zone 8a – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 8a. Stinkvine is native to temperate, and tropical Asia.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 8a – 11b
Keep exploring plants
Stinkvine 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 Paederia genus — compare its care with other Paederia species on PlantoScan.
Paederia is part of the Rubiaceae plant family — browse all Rubiaceae genera and species.
Stinkvine 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: Paederia foetida L., family Rubiaceae (first published in Mant. Pl. 1: 52 (1767)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Stinkvine 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.
- Photo: Public domain, CC0 1.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 8a – 11b, 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.
Identify Plants Like the
Stinkvine 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