Name: The Plant Company
Address: 284 Meeanee Road, Meeanee, Napier, 4112, New Zealand
Telephone: 0800 843 752
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self clinging climbing plants

If you're searching for a low-maintenance, visually stunning way to cover walls, fences, or unsightly spaces, self clinging climbing plants are a top choice for New Zealand gardens. Unlike twining or scrambling climbers, these plants have specialized roots or aerial stems that naturally attach themselves to surfaces, making them easy to grow and ideal for vertical gardening. Whether you want a lush, green backdrop or a flowering feature, self clinging climbing plants offer versatile solutions for shady corners, sunny fences, and even indoor areas.

Ficus pumila (Creeping Fig)

Ficus pumila, commonly known as Creeping Fig or Climbing Ficus, is a vigorous, evergreen climber popular in New Zealand for covering walls, fences, and trellises. It features small, heart-shaped juvenile leaves that mature into larger, leathery foliage. Fast-growing and self-clinging, it can create dense, green coverage in sun or partial shade. Preferring well-drained soil and regular moisture, it thrives in sheltered sites and requires pruning to manage growth. Ideal for decorative and functional vertical greening.

Buy Ficus pumila (Creeping Fig)

From $18.23

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Climbers

Height: 4.00 m

Spread: 4.00 m

Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wind

Garden uses: Arches, Living areas, Screening, Walls

Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern

Hydrangea petiolaris

Hydrangea petiolaris is a climbing hydrangea that grows as a vigorous, self-clinging deciduous climber that produces flat white lacecap blooms in early summer. Its heart-shaped leaves create a lush green covering for walls, fences, and pergolas, especially in shaded or semi-shaded areas. Slow to establish but long-lived, this climber thrives in moist, well-drained soil and performs reliably across New Zealand’s diverse climates. Hydrangea petiolaris brings elegance, structure, and seasonal interest to vertical garden spaces.

Buy Hydrangea petiolaris

From $40.43

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Climbers

Height: 10.00 m

Spread: 5.00 m

Flowering time: Summer

Tolerances: Hardy

Garden uses: Arches, Containers, Hedging, Living areas, Walls

Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Cottage, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern

What Are Self Clinging Climbing Plants?

Self clinging climbing plants are unique climbers that can attach themselves securely to walls and other vertical surfaces without the need for wires or trellising. They use aerial roots or adhesive pads to cling, allowing them to cover bricks, stone, concrete, or timber with little intervention. This makes them highly practical for adding greenery or flowers to hard-to-plant areas, and they suit both contemporary and traditional garden designs.

Top Self Clinging Climbing Plants for Kiwi Gardens

Many self clinging climbing plants thrive in New Zealand’s climate, providing both beauty and benefits like insulation for homes, habitat for wildlife, and natural privacy screens.

Hydrangea petiolaris: Known as the climbing hydrangea, this classic self clinger produces lush, heart-shaped foliage and stunning white lace-cap flowers in early summer. It's perfect for north or south-facing walls and even handles partial shade, making it a go-to for challenging garden spaces.
Hydrangea seemanii: Hailing from Central America, this evergreen relative of the climbing hydrangea offers year-round foliage interest and creamy white blooms. Hydrangea seemanii is ideal for mild climates, and its self clinging habit ensures effortless wall coverage.
Ficus pumila (Creeping Fig): This vigorous, small-leafed vine quickly establishes itself on fences, plaster, and brick. Ficus pumila is a classic for creating green living walls, and its dense coverage helps cool buildings in the warmer months.

Indoor Options & Vertical Supports

While true self clinging climbers excel outdoors, some indoor plants can be trained on supports for a similar effect. Rhaphidophora decursiva, for example, can be grown upright with the help of a Moss Pole For Plants. This creates a lush, leafy column perfect for brightening living spaces and purifying indoor air.

Planting and Care Tips

When planting self clinging climbing plants, choose walls or fences that are structurally sound and consider the exposure—many prefer well-drained soil and partial shade. Once established, they are generally drought-tolerant and need only occasional pruning to shape or contain their growth. Regular mulching and watering during dry summers will keep your self clinging climbers lush and healthy.

Transform Your Outdoor Spaces

Whether you want to soften a brick wall, add year-round interest, or create an urban oasis, self clinging climbing plants make it easy. Explore our range of climbers, from Hydrangea petiolaris and Hydrangea seemanii to fast-growing options like Ficus pumila (Creeping Fig), and find the perfect fit for your garden or indoor space.

Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.