Fertilising guide
How to fertilise Cat's Claw Creeper (Dolichandra unguis-cati)— schedule & NPK
Also called Cat's Claw Creeper, Cat's Claw Vine, Golden Trumpet Vine.
More about cat's claw creeper
About Cat's Claw Creeper
Dolichandra unguis-cati · also called Cat's Claw Creeper, Cat's Claw Vine · flowering
A vigorous semi-evergreen Bignoniaceae vine from South America, producing masses of bright yellow trumpet flowers in spring. Three-pronged, claw-like tendrils allow it to grip almost any surface. Extremely fast-growing and declared invasive in several countries including Australia and Florida. Best in full sun; highly drought-tolerant once established.
Growth habit: Vigorous fast-growing semi-evergreen woody vine; climbs by three-pronged claw-like tendrils; spreads extensively by wind-dispersed seed and tuberous roots; highly invasive potential
What fertiliser cat's claw creeper actually wants — and why
Cat's Claw Creeper is an easy, light foliage feeder — a half-strength balanced liquid feed through the growing months keeps it green without forcing weak, sappy growth.
A balanced general houseplant feed (roughly even N-P-K) is exactly right — it is grown for foliage, so steady, moderate nitrogen for healthy leaves is the goal, not a bloom or root formula.
For the language behind the three numbers on the bottle — what nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium each do — see the NPK ratio explained entry. The short version for cat's claw creeper: match the feed to the job the plant is doing right now, not to a generic “plant food” on the shelf.
How often to feed cat's claw creeper, and which months
Feeding only earns its keep while the plant is in active growth and can use the nutrients — pour feed into a dormant or low-light plant and it simply builds up as root-burning salt. For cat's claw creeper:
Generally low-maintenance and does not require heavy feeding. Apply a balanced slow-release fertiliser in spring if growth seems sluggish. A phosphorus-rich feed encourages flowering. Avoid excessive nitrogen, which promotes leaf growth at the expense of blooms. Treat that as sparingly through the growing season between spring through early autumn (roughly March to September); ease off in autumn and stop entirely in the low light of winter.
The dormant-season rule matters more than the exact interval: skip feeding entirely when cat's claw creeper is resting. For the wider context on indoor feeding rhythms across the seasons, the houseplant fertiliser schedule walks through the year month by month.
What strength to mix for cat's claw creeper
Half strength is the safe default for cat's claw creeper — houseplant feeds are formulated strong, and the diluted dose is gentler on the roots while still ample for foliage.
Feeding always goes onto already-damp soil, never dry roots — water cat's claw creeper first if the soil is dry, then apply the diluted feed. The companion question is when to water at all, covered in the cat's claw creeper watering schedule.
Signs you are over-feeding cat's claw creeper
Over-feeding is far more common — and more damaging — than under-feeding for most plants. The classic tells for cat's claw creeper:
- Brown, crispy leaf tips and edges with no sign of underwatering.
- A white, crusty salt deposit on the soil surface or pot rim.
- Weak, pale, stretched new growth that flops.
- Lower leaves yellow and drop while the soil is correctly watered.
Signs you are under-feeding cat's claw creeper
- Uniformly pale or yellow-green leaves, oldest first.
- Noticeably small new leaves and stalled growth in good light and season.
- A generally tired, lacklustre look despite correct watering and light.
If the symptoms point at watering, light or roots rather than nutrition, the full cat's claw creeper care brief covers soil, humidity and the common problems for this species.
Flushing and leaching the salts
Flush the pot of cat's claw creeper with plain water until it runs freely from the base every couple of months in the feeding season — it washes out the fertiliser salts that cause brown tips.
Organic vs synthetic feeds for cat's claw creeper
Organic options
A diluted seaweed or worm-casting feed, or fish emulsion if you can tolerate the smell indoors. UK: Westland or Baby Bio Organic, dilute seaweed; US: Espoma Indoor! or Neptune's Harvest fish & seaweed. Slow, gentle and hard to overdo.
Synthetic / liquid feeds
A general-purpose houseplant liquid at half strength — UK: Baby Bio, Westland Houseplant Feed or Phostrogen; US: Miracle-Gro Indoor Plant Food or Schultz. Convenient and fast-acting; the only risk is overdoing it.
Brand names are examples, not endorsements, and UK and US ranges differ — check the label’s own NPK and dilution rate, since formulations change.
Fertilising cat's claw creeper — frequently asked questions
What fertiliser does cat's claw creeper need?
A balanced general houseplant feed (roughly even N-P-K) is exactly right — it is grown for foliage, so steady, moderate nitrogen for healthy leaves is the goal, not a bloom or root formula. Cat's Claw Creeper is an easy, light foliage feeder — a half-strength balanced liquid feed through the growing months keeps it green without forcing weak, sappy growth.
How often should I feed cat's claw creeper?
Generally low-maintenance and does not require heavy feeding. Apply a balanced slow-release fertiliser in spring if growth seems sluggish. A phosphorus-rich feed encourages flowering. Avoid excessive nitrogen, which promotes leaf growth at the expense of blooms. Generally low-maintenance and does not require heavy feeding. Apply a balanced slow-release fertiliser in spring if growth seems sluggish. A phosphorus-rich feed encourages flowering. Avoid excessive nitrogen, which promotes leaf growth at the expense of blooms. Treat that as sparingly through the growing season between spring through early autumn (roughly March to September); ease off in autumn and stop entirely in the low light of winter.
What strength of feed for cat's claw creeper?
Half strength is the safe default for cat's claw creeper — houseplant feeds are formulated strong, and the diluted dose is gentler on the roots while still ample for foliage.
What does over-feeding cat's claw creeper look like?
Brown, crispy leaf tips and edges with no sign of underwatering. A white, crusty salt deposit on the soil surface or pot rim. Weak, pale, stretched new growth that flops. Lower leaves yellow and drop while the soil is correctly watered. Feeding cat's claw creeper year-round on a fixed schedule, including dark winter months, is the most common mistake — it cannot use the nutrients in low light and the surplus simply burns the roots and crusts the soil.
Should I flush the soil of cat's claw creeper?
Flush the pot of cat's claw creeper with plain water until it runs freely from the base every couple of months in the feeding season — it washes out the fertiliser salts that cause brown tips.
Keep reading
- Cat's Claw Creeper care — the full brief (light, soil, humidity, problems, pet safety)
- How often to water cat's claw creeper — the watering schedule
- The houseplant fertiliser schedule — feeding through the year
- NPK ratio explained — what the three numbers on the bottle mean
- How to fertilise dawn redwood 'ogon'
- How to fertilise sequoia 'adpressa'
- How to fertilise giant sequoia
- All 8452 fertilising guides in the Growli library