Smooth Periploca Plant Care
Periploca laevigata Aiton
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Periploca laevigata is a species of flowering plant in the family Apocynaceae, native to the Canary Islands, the Savage Islands and Cape Verde.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Smooth Periploca?
Water Smooth Periploca 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 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Smooth Periploca Native To?
What Is the Smooth Periploca?
Smooth Periploca (Periploca laevigata) belongs to the Apocynaceae family within the Periploca genus. Smooth Periploca is native to the Canary Islands, the Savage Islands and Cape Verde. Smooth Periploca is also known as Canary Periploca.
Smooth Periploca displays a twining vine or shrub with woody stems growth habit, reaching up to 10 ft tall with a spread of approximately 5 ft. Smooth Periploca produces small, greenish-yellow flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Smooth Periploca?
Periploca laevigata 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 Smooth Periploca Need?
Smooth Periploca thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Smooth Periploca Prefer?
Periploca laevigata grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Smooth Periploca prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Smooth Periploca?
Well-draining loamy soil mix with added perlite for improved drainage. Good drainage is essential for Smooth Periploca to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Smooth Periploca?
Feed Smooth Periploca every 6 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 6 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 Smooth Periploca?
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 Smooth Periploca?
Smooth Periploca can be propagated through propagation by seeds or stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to silk vine plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Smooth Periploca Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
Toxic to humans and pets if ingested
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 Smooth Periploca?
Smooth Periploca is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, 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 Smooth Periploca Need?
Smooth Periploca grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Smooth Periploca is native to the Canary Islands, the Savage Islands and Cape Verde. In cooler regions, grow Smooth Periploca as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Smooth Periploca 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 Periploca genus — compare its care with other Periploca species on PlantoScan.
Periploca is part of the Apocynaceae plant family — browse all Apocynaceae genera and species.
Smooth Periploca 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: Periploca laevigata Aiton, family Apocynaceae (first published in Hort. Kew. 1: 301 (1789)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Smooth Periploca 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 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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