Snake Vine

Snake Vine (Hibbertia scandens) is one of the most useful native plants for covering ground fast. Given a support it twines to about 3m; left flat it sprawls 2m or more as a mat of glossy leaves studded with bright yellow flowers through the warm season. It is a coastal plant by nature, so salt, sand, wind and humidity do not trouble it.

Why you'll love it

• Covers ground quickly. A fast grower that closes a bare bank or a hot verge in a season or two.
• Flowers most of the warm months. Large yellow blooms open in succession from spring into autumn and bring in bees and butterflies.
• Coastal proof. Salt tolerant, wind tolerant and happy in poor sandy soil, which is exactly what a beachside garden needs.
• Climber or groundcover. The same plant can trail over a wall, run along the ground or twine up a fence, depending on what you give it.

Where it works best

Groundcover and mass planting. Plant 1m apart for a dense cover. At that spacing the stems knit within two seasons and shade out most weed seedlings.

Retaining walls and slopes. Set plants along the top and let the growth spill down. The roots hold loose soil on a bank that is awkward to mow or maintain.

Coastal gardens and screening. On a wire fence or trellis it climbs to around 3m and gives a light green screen, though it is a soft cover rather than a solid privacy hedge.

Growing snake vine in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun gives the heaviest flowering, and it accepts light shade with looser growth. It suits tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens, and takes light frost only, so cold inland and southern districts need a sheltered warm position or a different groundcover.

Soil. Almost anything that drains, including sand and poor soil. Improve heavy clay with compost and plant slightly proud of the surface. A 75mm mulch layer keeps the roots cool while it establishes.

Water and feed. Water twice a week through the first summer, then it copes with dry spells alone. A native fertiliser in early spring is enough, and too much feed produces leaf at the expense of flower.

Pruning. It is vigorous and will climb into shrubs given the chance, so cut it back hard in late winter and shear stray runners through the year. It reshoots readily from old wood.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown in a 140mm pack of ten, which is the right unit for the job, since a bank or verge needs numbers rather than one large plant. Each is a young established plant with a few runners. Ten plants at 1m spacing cover roughly ten square metres.

Plants are packed to travel upright and delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Expect a quiet few weeks while the roots take, then rapid runner growth through the first warm season. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse groundcover plants
• Trailing plants for retaining walls
• Plants for coastal and salt exposed gardens
• Compare the climber range

Common questions

How many plants do I need per square metre?

One plant per square metre, which is the 1m spacing that gives a dense cover. Tighter planting closes the gap a little sooner but costs more without a lasting benefit.

Will it take over the garden?

It is vigorous and will climb into neighbouring shrubs if ignored. An annual hard cutback in late winter plus the occasional shear keeps it where you want it.

Can it grow in a pot or over a balcony rail?

Yes, in a large container with free draining mix. Trailing stems look good over an edge, and the plant tolerates the wind and reflected heat that many balconies suffer.