Jade Vine, Emerald Vine, Turquoise Jade Vine, Jade Climber
The Jade Vine (Strongylodon macrobotrys), often referred to as the Emerald Creeper, is a tropical climbing plant celebrated for its stunning, jade-colored flowers that cascade like chandeliers. Native to the rainforests of the Philippines, this rare and exotic vine is a botanical marvel, captivating plant enthusiasts and gardeners with its striking beauty and ecological significance. Its claw-shaped, turquoise flowers, arranged in dramatic hanging clusters, make it a showpiece in tropical gardens, conservatories, and greenhouses.
Belonging to the legume family Fabaceae, the Jade Vine shares its lineage with more familiar plants like peas, beans, lupines, redbuds, and orchid trees. Despite its exotic allure, it has specific growing requirements that make it a rewarding yet challenging plant for cultivation.
The Jade Vine is a fast-growing, perennial woody vine that can climb to incredible heights when given the right support. Its most mesmerizing feature is its spectacular inflorescences: cascading clusters of claw-shaped flowers that range in color from jade-green to turquoise, sometimes with hints of aquamarine. These flower clusters, known as racemes, can grow up to 3 feet (1 meter) long and bear hundreds of individual blooms.
The flowers are paired with dark green, glossy, trifoliate leaves that form a dense canopy, creating an ideal backdrop for the striking blooms. The plant also produces smooth, bean-like seed pods, which develop after successful pollination. While Jade Vine is mainly grown for its flowers, the lush foliage and unique growth habit contribute significantly to its ornamental appeal.
The Jade Vine is native to the lowland rainforests of the Philippines, where it thrives in humid, tropical conditions. It is often found along riverbanks or in forest clearings, where its climbing habit allows it to reach sunlight in the dense jungle canopy. In its native habitat, the Jade Vine plays a vital role in the ecosystem, relying on specialized bats for pollination.
The Jade Vine is rare due to habitat loss in its native Philippine rainforests, specialized pollination by bats, and specific environmental requirements that make cultivation challenging outside its natural tropical habitat. Rare flowers: beauty beyond ordinary gardens
The Jade Vine is a perennial, evergreen climber with a vigorous and sprawling growth habit. It grows as a twining vine, using tendrils and aerial roots to secure itself to nearby structures. Its natural habit of climbing tall trees makes it an excellent choice for arbors, pergolas, or tall garden trellises.
When grown in ideal conditions, the Jade Vine can reach lengths of up to 70 feet (21 meters) in its natural habitat. In cultivated settings, its size is determined by the space and support provided, often reaching 30-50 feet (9-15 meters).
The Jade Vine is renowned for its stunning claw-shaped flowers, measuring up to 3 inches (7 cm) long, in an extraordinary jade-green hue. These blossoms are borne on massive, showy, pendant racemes that cascade up to 40 inches (1 meter) in length, with each raceme showcasing 75 or more flowers. The flower color, often described as jade, is further likened to aquamarine, neon blue-green, or sea-green-turquoise, adding to its unique allure. Each papilionaceous flower resembles a butterfly with closed wings.
The Jade Vine typically blooms from spring to midsummer, creating a spectacular display of vibrant, otherworldly beauty.
After successful pollination, the plant produces oblong, bean-like seed pods. Each pod contains 1–3 seeds. However, fruiting is rare in cultivation, especially in non-native regions where natural pollinators may be absent.
The trifoliate leaves of the Jade Vine are glossy, slightly leathery, and contribute significantly to its lush, tropical charm. Each leaf comprises three oval leaflets measuring 3–5 inches (7–12 cm) in length. The foliage emerges in a striking pink-bronze hue, transitions to pale green, and matures to a rich, deep green, creating a dynamic visual display. This vibrant canopy provides a dense, textured backdrop that beautifully complements the dramatic hanging clusters of jade-green flowers, enhancing the plant’s overall ornamental appeal.
The Jade Vine thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 10–121, where it enjoys warm, tropical climates. It cannot tolerate frost or prolonged exposure to temperatures below 60°F (15°C). In cooler climates, it is best grown in a greenhouse or as a conservatory plant where conditions can be controlled.
In the wild, the Jade Vine relies on bats for pollination. These nocturnal pollinators are drawn to the flowers’ nectar and distinctive coloration, which stands out even in low light. While bats are essential to the Jade Vine’s reproduction, manual pollination may be required to achieve fruiting in cultivation.
The Jade Vine is considered non-toxic to humans and animals, making it a safe choice for gardens and indoor spaces. However, its large size and vigorous growth require careful placement to avoid overwhelming smaller plants or structures.
The Jade Vine is not considered invasive, as its specific environmental requirements limit its ability to spread aggressively outside its native range. It is classified as an endangered species, primarily due to widespread destruction of its native rainforest habitat and the decline of its specialized natural pollinators, such as bats.
The Jade Vine thrives in bright, indirect light. Direct sunlight can scorch its leaves, while insufficient light will reduce flowering. In tropical regions, it performs best in partial shade.
Grow the Jade Vine in rich, well-draining soil with high organic content. A mix of loamy soil, compost, and perlite is ideal.
Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. During the growing season, water regularly, allowing the top inch (2.5 cm) of soil to dry slightly between waterings. Reduce watering during the plant’s dormant period in winter.
Feed the Jade Vine with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 2–4 weeks during the growing season. Fertilizers high in phosphorus can encourage flowering.
Prune regularly to control growth and encourage flowering. Remove dead or damaged stems and thin out dense foliage to improve airflow.
Harvest mature seeds from pods, soak them in warm water for 24 hours, and sow in a moist, well-draining soil mix. Germination may take several weeks to months under warm (70–85°F or 21–29°C) and humid conditions.
In summer, take semi-ripe cuttings with at least two nodes, use bottom heat to encourage root development, and keep moist.
Perform in spring by wounding a healthy stem, applying rooting hormone, and wrapping it with moist sphagnum moss and plastic until roots form.
The Jade Vine (Strongylodon macrobotrys) is a fast-growing climber in tropical conditions. Under ideal conditions of warmth, humidity, and support for climbing, it can grow several feet per year, potentially reaching 30-50 feet (9-15 meters) in cultivated settings and up to 70 feet (21 meters) in its native rainforest habitat. Growth slows in cooler climates or during dormancy.
Strongylodon macrobotrys, commonly known as the Jade Vine or Emerald Creeper, is a tropical woody vine belonging to the Fabaceae family. It is native to the rainforests of the Philippines and is celebrated for its spectacular claw-shaped flowers, which are jade-green to turquoise in color and hang in long, cascading racemes. This rare vine is often grown as an ornamental plant in tropical and subtropical regions or in greenhouses in cooler climates.
The Jade Vine is native to the Philippines, particularly in the country’s lowland and mid-elevation rainforests. It thrives in tropical rainforest environments where it climbs tall trees to access sunlight. Outside its native range, it is cultivated in botanical gardens, greenhouses, and tropical-themed gardens around the world, particularly in regions with climates that mimic its natural habitat (USDA Zones 10–12).
| Hardiness |
10 - 12 |
|---|---|
| Plant Type | Climbers |
| Plant Family | Fabaceae |
| Exposure | Partial Sun |
| Season of Interest | Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid) |
| Height | 30' - 50' (9.1m - 15.2m) |
| Spread | 5' - 15' (150cm - 4.6m) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Average |
| Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Showy, Evergreen |
| Garden Uses | Arbors, Pergolas, Trellises |
| Hardiness |
10 - 12 |
|---|---|
| Plant Type | Climbers |
| Plant Family | Fabaceae |
| Exposure | Partial Sun |
| Season of Interest | Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid) |
| Height | 30' - 50' (9.1m - 15.2m) |
| Spread | 5' - 15' (150cm - 4.6m) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Average |
| Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Showy, Evergreen |
| Garden Uses | Arbors, Pergolas, Trellises |
How many Strongylodon macrobotrys (Jade Vine) do I need for my garden?
| Plant | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|
| Strongylodon macrobotrys (Jade Vine) | N/A | Buy Plants |
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