Cat's Claw Vine
Dolichandra unguis-cati
Vigorous evergreen wall vine with yellow spring bloom.
Forest & Kim Starr / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0 — license
Why AE uses caution: Aggressive climber that attaches with claw-like tendrils. Damages stucco, paint, and mortar. Spreads underground.
See the full AE Use With Care librarySchedule: Twice-weekly in summer, weekly in shoulder seasons.
Emitters: 1–2 emitters per plant, monitored during heat waves.
Flowering perennials, citrus, and lush accents need more attention than true desert plants.
Arizona yards have very different microclimates. West-facing walls, glass, artificial turf, pavers, travertine, porcelain, and pool decking all increase reflected heat. AE considers these before confirming placement.
- Avoid near pool decks
- Avoid near pavers
- Avoid near foundations
- Avoid near walls & utilities
AE verifies pool deck, paver, foundation, wall, and utility clearances before final planting.
Quick Facts
- Plant type
- Vine
- Mature size
- 30+ ft vine
- Sun
- Full sun
- Water use
- Low
- Bloom season
- Spring
- Flower color
- Yellow
- Evergreen / Deciduous
- Evergreen
- Thorns / spines
- None
- Litter level
- Medium
- Pool area
- Use with care
- Pet/kid placement
- Good
- Maintenance
- Seasonal pruning
- Privacy value
- High
- Shade value
- Medium
- Native
- Desert-adapted
About Cat's Claw Vine
Covers walls fast. AE uses it where heavy wall coverage is the goal.
Best uses: Wall coverage, vertical greenery
AE Designer Opinion
Design Uses
- Block wall cover
- Privacy
- Vertical green
Care & Maintenance
- Low water once established
- Annual pruning required
- Keep off structures you don't want it on
Pairs Well With
- Texas Sage
- Mulga
More Arizona Plants Like This
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