A delicate tangle of dark, wiry stems and tiny round leaves that creates a soft, cloud-like cascade. Lovely trailing from a hanging pot or shelf, it's also a florist's favourite for shaping around hoops and wire frames.

Also known as: Wire Vine, Maidenhair Vine, Mattress Vine, Angel Vine, Pōhuehue (its Māori name)

Origins & folklore: Muehlenbeckia is native to New Zealand, where it scrambles over coastal rocks, sand dunes and forest edges, shrugging off wind and salt spray. It plays an important role in local ecosystems, sheltering wildlife and serving as a food plant for native copper butterflies, while birds and lizards eat its tiny white fruits. The genus is named after Henri-Gustave Muehlenbeck, a 19th-century Alsatian doctor and botanist.

Its dense mat of interwoven stems earned it the name Mattress Vine. That same coastal toughness makes it a great choice for Manx homes and gardens – as well as thriving indoors, it will usually cope outdoors in a sheltered spot or pot in our mild island climate.

Size: Delivered in a 12cm plastic nursery pot.

Care guide
•    Light: Bright, indirect light indoors; it will tolerate some shade. Outdoors, it's happy in sun or partial shade.
•    Watering: Keep the compost evenly moist, letting just the top layer dry slightly between waterings. It doesn't like drying out completely – the leaves can crisp up – but never leave it waterlogged.
•    Humidity & temperature: Enjoys moderate humidity but is very adaptable; an occasional misting helps in centrally heated rooms. Indoors, 10–24°C is ideal.
•    Feeding: A balanced houseplant feed once a month in spring and summer.
•    Good to know: Trim it whenever you like to keep it neat – it responds well to shaping and can be trained around a wire hoop or frame.

Toxicity: Generally considered non-toxic to humans, cats and dogs.