Ornatec InternationalSpecies reference sheet ยท ornatecinternational.com
Dolichandra unguis-cati
Cat's Claw Creeper
Dolichandra unguis-cati climbs by three-hooked tendrils that grip masonry and bark like the claw the plant is named for, and in spring it covers itself in bright yellow trumpets. It is exceptionally vigorous, reaching 6 to 15 metres, and it holds on without wire or ties.
That vigour is both the argument for it and the caution against it: it will cover a wall in a season, and it will keep going once the wall is covered.
Specifications
- Height6 to 15 metres as a climber
- Width3 to 6 metres
- Native toTropical America, from Mexico and the Caribbean to Argentina
- FoliagePaired leaflets with a three-clawed tendril between them; evergreen to semi-deciduous
- Growth rateFast
Conditions
- SoilAdaptable to most soils; tolerates poor and stony ground
- LightFull sun to partial shade
- WaterLow; tuberous roots make it drought-tolerant once established
- ClimateThrives in tropical, subtropical and warm temperate regions
Additional Features
- FlowersMasses of bright yellow trumpet flowers in a concentrated spring display
- UsesWall and fence cover, pergolas, screening structures and hard boundary treatments
- SpacingPlant 3 to 4 metres apart along a structure
- Low MaintenanceRequires scheduled cutting back rather than occasional pruning; plan for annual containment
- Pest ResistanceVigorous and effectively untroubled by pests
- Drought ToleranceUnderground tubers carry it through long dry periods
- FormDense self-clinging curtain of foliage over any surface it can grip
Cat's Claw Creeper covers hard structures faster than almost any other flowering climber, and it needs a maintenance regime written in from the start.
Availability by project review. Sizes, quantities, origin and export readiness are confirmed after your plant schedule is reviewed against destination, timing and quarantine requirements. MEWA certified for supply into Saudi Arabia; Australian Export Registered Establishment.
Enquiries: sales@ornatecinternational.com
310 Donkin Rd, Utchee Creek QLD 4871, Australia
Prepared 09 September 2026