Can I grow this indoors?

It is extremely difficult to grow indoors due to its massive size and need for high humidity.

Why is it called jade vine?

It is named for the striking, translucent blue green color of its flowers.

Plant guide

Jade vine.

Strongylodon macrobotrys

Pronounced stron-gi-LO-don ma-kro-BO-tris

Also known as jadevine

The jade vine is a stunning tropical climber famous for its glowing, claw shaped flowers that hang in long clusters. It thrives in humid, warm environments and needs plenty of space to spread its vigorous vines. You will love watching it bloom if you can provide the right tropical conditions.

Another photo of Jade vine — Photo by George Baker (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Difficult
Plant type: Vine
Light: Bright indirect light
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 18 meters
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 10 to 12
Bloom time: Late winter to spring

Care

Provide a sturdy trellis or arbor for the vine to climb as it grows quite large. Keep the soil consistently moist and maintain high humidity to mimic its native rainforest home. Watch for yellowing leaves which often signal that the plant is too dry or lacks sufficient humidity.

Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist but never waterlogged.
Feeding: Use a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Trim back long stems after flowering to keep the vine manageable.
Repotting: Repot when the plant becomes root bound in its container.
Soil: Rich, well draining organic soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.0
Temperature: 15 to 30°C
Humidity: 70 to 90%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Perennial, long lived in ideal tropical conditions
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes
Stunted growth during the active season

Safety

People: The plant is not considered toxic, but ingestion of any part is not recommended.
Children: The large, heavy flower clusters could pose a minor hazard if pulled down by a small child.
Contact allergens: No specific skin irritants are known.
Airborne allergens: No notable airborne allergens are associated with this plant.
Edibility: The seeds and pods are not considered edible and may cause digestive distress.

How to identify it

Striking turquoise, claw shaped flowers
Large, trifoliate glossy green leaves
Long, pendulous flower racemes
Woody, vigorous climbing stems

Height: 3 to 18m
Spread: 2 to 6m
Leaves: dark green, evergreen
Flowers: jade green, blue green, 5 to 10cm
Fruit: green, Late summer

Problems to watch for

Brown Leaf EdgesCommon
Root RotCommon
Spider MitesCommon
AphidsUncommon
ChlorosisUncommon
Leaf SpotUncommon
MealybugsUncommon
Scale InsectsUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

Check your jade vine from a photo

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, seed
When to plant: spring, summer
Overwintering: Keep the plant in a warm, frost free environment with high humidity throughout the winter months.
In containers: It is not suitable for standard containers due to its massive size and extensive root system.

Stem Cuttings

1. Take semi-hardwood cuttings in spring.
2. Dip the cut end in rooting hormone.
3. Place in a warm, humid propagation chamber.

Group this vine with other tropical plants that appreciate consistent moisture and high humidity.

Grows well with

Bird of Paradise · They share similar requirements for warmth and high light.
Hibiscus · They provide a tropical aesthetic that complements the vine.

Similar species

Wisteria · Both are vigorous woody vines with hanging flower clusters.

Science

Family: Fabaceae
Genus: Strongylodon
Order: Fabales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Philippines rainforests
Conservation: This species is considered vulnerable in the wild due to habitat destruction and deforestation.

It grows as a woody vine in tropical rainforests, climbing high into the canopy to reach sunlight.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bats
Uses: ornamental vine, botanical garden display

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 9/9
Moisture: 8/9
Nutrients: 6/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Can I grow this indoors?: It is extremely difficult to grow indoors due to its massive size and need for high humidity.
Why is it called jade vine?: It is named for the striking, translucent blue green color of its flowers.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Strongylodon comes from Greek for round tooth, while the species name refers to its large flower clusters.

Good to know

The flowers hang in clusters that can reach up to 3 meters in length.
It is a member of the pea family.
The specific name macrobotrys means large cluster.
It is notoriously difficult to grow outside of tropical climates.

Keep your jade vine growing

This page is a general guide. Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked.

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.