Woodrose (Merremia tuberosa) - How to Grow & Care Guide

Plant Snapshot

Common Name: Woodrose
Latin Name: Merremia tuberosa
Alternate Names: Elephant Creeper
Hardiness Zones: Tropical to subtropical. Typically persistent in USDA zones 10 to 11. May survive in protected sites in zone 9. Frost kills top growth and may kill plants in colder zones.
Typical Height: Vine length commonly 6 to 30 ft (180 to 900 cm) depending on support and climate.
Typical Spread: Can spread several feet to cover large areas, commonly 4 to 20 ft (120 to 600 cm) where unchecked.
Bloom Period: In tropical climates may flower year round. In subtropical climates mainly spring through fall.
Soil Preferences: Prefers well drained fertile soil. Tolerates sandy or poorer soils but dislikes waterlogged conditions which encourage root rot.
Light Preferences: Full sun to part shade. More sun typically increases flowering and vigor, while deep shade reduces flower production.
Toxicity: No widely documented severe toxicity found in general references but specific toxicity information is limited. Avoid ingestion and contact with raw sap and consult local poison control for pets and children.
Propagation: Propagation by seed, softwood or semi ripe stem cuttings, and by division of tuberous rootstock.

Key Facts

Twining or climbing perennial vine in the morning glory family.
Produces funnel shaped flowers often pale white to pink with a yellow throat.
Has a tuberous root system that helps it resprout.
Vigorous grower that can smother shrubs and small trees in warm climates.
Adapted to tropical and subtropical climates.
Propagates readily by seed and stem cuttings and by division of rootstock.
Prefers well drained soil and performs best in full sun to part shade.
Frost tender and typically dies back or is lost in colder winters.

Woodrose is a twining perennial vine in the morning glory family grown for its lush foliage and funnel shaped flowers. It performs best in warm climates but spreads readily and can overwhelm other plants if left unchecked.

Identification

Woodrose is a twining or climbing vine that produces pale white to pink funnel flowers often with a yellow throat. The plant has a tuberous rootstock that helps it resprout after top growth is removed. Vines commonly reach 6 to 30 feet depending on support and climate.

Where to grow and best uses

Use Woodrose on a trellis, fence or pergola where a fast, leafy screen is wanted, or let it sprawl as a groundcover in frost free gardens. It is adapted to tropical and subtropical climates and is persistent in warmer sites. Avoid planting it next to small shrubs or young trees because vigorous growth can smother them.

Planting and timing

Plant in warm, frost free conditions. In tropical areas planting can be done year round and in subtropics begin in spring or after the last hard frost. Allow room for its spread since plants commonly cover several feet and can expand to large patches where unchecked.

Soil, light and watering

Choose well drained fertile soil; Woodrose tolerates sandy or poorer soils but dislikes waterlogged ground which can rot the tubers. Grow in full sun to part shade for best flowering and vigor. Overwatering in heavy soils leads to root rot and reduced plant health.

After flowering and pruning

Prune to control vigor and to keep growth off nearby plants and structures. Cutting back aboveground growth does not kill the plant because tuberous roots resprout. In colder sites cut back dead top growth and either protect or lift tubers if you want to preserve plants over winter.

Controlling spread and invasiveness

Woodrose is a vigorous grower that can form dense mats or climb over vegetation. It has been reported to naturalize in warm regions and can smother shrubs and small trees. Control by removing seedlings and runners, digging out rootstock and keeping plants confined to raised beds or containers when needed.

Propagation

Propagate by seed, softwood or semi ripe stem cuttings, or by dividing the tuberous rootstock. Plants readily regrow from root pieces so take care when moving soil or plant material between sites to avoid spreading the species unintentionally.

Containers and winter protection

Container culture limits spread and lets you move plants in cold weather. In USDA zone 10 to 11 Woodrose persists; it may survive in protected sites in zone 9 but is frost tender elsewhere. In cooler climates treat it as an annual or lift and store tubers through winter.

Frequently asked questions

How fast does Woodrose grow?: It is fast growing and vigorous. In warm climates vines can reach several meters in a single growing season and commonly attain total lengths between 6 and 30 feet when given support.
Is Woodrose invasive?: It can naturalize and spread in warm, frost free areas and has the potential to be invasive. Monitor seedlings and root fragments and avoid planting where it could escape into natural areas.
Is Woodrose frost hardy?: Woodrose is frost tender. It persists in tropical to subtropical areas and is typically persistent in USDA zones 10 to 11. It may survive in well protected sites in zone 9 but top growth is killed by frost.
How do I propagate Woodrose?: Propagate easily from seed, softwood or semi ripe cuttings and by dividing the tuberous rootstock. Division and root pieces will regrow so handle plant material carefully.
Can Woodrose regrow from root pieces?: Yes. The tuberous root system resprouts and plants can regrow from root fragments, so fully remove rootstock when eradicating unwanted plants.