small-leaved pōhuehue
Muehlenbeckia complexa var. complexa | small-leaved pōhuehue, scrub pōhuehue, wire vine
A robust evergreen groundcover known for its sprawling, tangled mass of brown, wiry stems. Its small, rounded, light-green leaves complement tiny, creamy-green flowers that bloom from late spring into early summer. This versatile plant can form dense mounds, spread across the ground, or climb over other plants, banks, and walls. Its twining vines are even trainable on wires as climbers. Hardy and resilient pōhuehue is a popular choice for coastal restoration due to its fast growth and ability to stabilise sand dunes. It also attracts insects and lizards, making it beneficial for local wildlife.
typical habitat.
coastal forest
lowland forest
montane forest
forest margins
drainage.
dry
free draining
well drained
moist
sun.
partial shade
full shade
full sun
mature specifications.
height | 2m
width | 3m
pollinators calendar.
flowering | October - February
fruiting | March - June
did you know?
In its natural habitat, pōhuehue plays a key role sealing off disturbed areas at the forest edge, helping to suppress invasive weeds like blackberry, and boosting insect diversity.



