Whether or not you can keep your Muehlenbeckia outdoors through the winter really comes down to which variety you’ve got in your garden. Also known as the “Creeping Wire Vine,” this popular groundcover is a favorite for many, but it has some specific needs when the temperature drops. Here’s the lowdown on how to help your wire vine survive the chilly months.
Is Muehlenbeckia Winter-Hardy?
There are two main types of Muehlenbeckia you’ll likely run into. While *Muehlenbeckia complexa* can be a bit of a diva when it comes to frost, *Muehlenbeckia axillaris* is much tougher and generally winter-hardy. This means that in most of our regions, you can leave the *axillaris* variety outside all winter long without a second thought—provided it’s planted in the right spot.
What’s the ideal home for a Muehlenbeckia?
- A spot with partial shade
- Moist to moderately moist soil
- Plenty of nutrients
If you live somewhere with relatively mild winters, you might even get away with keeping *Muehlenbeckia complexa* outdoors. However, if you’re using it as a groundcover, keep an eye on those temps! Knowing how sensitive your specific plant is will help you decide if you need to take extra precautions before the first frost hits.
Winter Care Tips
If you’re growing a more cold-sensitive variety in a container, your best bet is to move the pot to a sheltered area. Just a heads-up: don’t bring it into a room that’s too warm! If it gets too toasty, it’ll mess with the plant’s natural dormant cycle and throw its growth rhythm out of whack.
On the other hand, *Muehlenbeckia axillaris* is a real trooper. You can usually leave it right where it is. If you’re expecting a long stretch of deep, biting frost, you can give your wire vine a little “blanket” of dried leaves or mulch for extra protection.
In most areas, our winters aren’t harsh enough to bother a hardy *axillaris*. One important rule of thumb: stop using liquid fertilizer during the winter months. You don’t want to force new growth when the plant should be resting. Once spring rolls around, give your Muehlenbeckia a good trim to freshen it up for the new season!
