Creeping Wire Vine – Live Plant | Evergreen Ground Cover & Rock Garden Perennial (Muehlenbeckia axillaris)

Muehlenbeckia axillaris, commonly known as Creeping Wire Vine or Mattress Vine, is a tough, fast-spreading evergreen ground cover native to New Zealand and Australia. Wiry, interlacing stems covered in small, round, glossy green leaves form a dense, low mat just 2–4 inches tall with a spread of up to 30 inches. Virtually indestructible once established — tolerant of foot traffic, deer resistant, adaptable to a wide range of soils and light conditions, and perfect for suppressing weeds in difficult spots. Ships as live starter plants.

Why Grow Creeping Wire Vine?

• Extremely low maintenance — minimal care once established
• Versatile ground cover — covers areas too shady for other plants
• Erosion control — excellent for stabilizing slopes, hillsides, and banks
• Traffic tolerant — withstands light foot traffic; great between stepping stones
• Deer resistant
• Container friendly — spills beautifully from pots and hanging baskets
• Edible berries — small white-skinned, black-seeded berries in late summer are juicy and edible

Plant Details

• Species: Muehlenbeckia axillaris
• Type: Evergreen perennial ground cover / vine
• Origin: New Zealand and Australia
• Height: 2–4 inches
• Spread: Up to 30 inches
• Hardiness: USDA Zones 6–9
• Light: Full sun, partial sun, or dappled shade
• Flowers: Small, green, late spring to early summer; followed by white-skinned, black-seeded edible berries

Planting Guide

• Spacing: Plant 4–6 plants per square yard for complete ground coverage.
• Soil: Adaptable to sandy, rocky, clay, acidic, alkaline, or neutral soils. Best growth in well-draining soil kept consistently moist.
• Light: Thrives in full sun to full shade — one of the few ground covers that performs in deep shade.
• Watering: Water regularly throughout the first growing season to establish roots. Reduce watering once established — tolerates dry conditions well after the first year.
• Fertilizer: Apply a general-purpose fertilizer in spring before new growth emerges if desired.

Maintenance

• Mow or shear lightly in spring to encourage fresh, dense new growth.
• Can be vigorous in ideal conditions — trim edges regularly to keep it contained in rock gardens and borders.
• Virtually pest and disease free.