How Plants Climb: A Guide to Vines, Tendrils, Twining Stems, and More

All About Vines and Other Climbing Plants

Peas use tendrils to climb a trellis. Shop for Vegetable Supports.

Morning glories and clematis use leaf tendrils to climb. Shop for Flower Trellises.

Growing up rather than out saves garden space and lets you enjoy great vine plants: sugar snap peas, pole beans, moonflowers, bougainvillea, clematis. Adding a trellis or vertical structure adds a whole new dimension of visual interest.

But matching climbing plants to the right support baffles many gardeners. Why won't pole beans and tomatoes climb a lattice frame? Why won't sweet peas and clematis climb a pole? The answer: climbing plants climb in specific ways—some wrap, some adhere, some curl. Here's how to recognize which plants do what:

Tendrils

Peas exemplify tendril climbers. Tendrils are skinny, wiry structures along the stem that reach into the air until they contact something to grab. On contact, they curl into a coil, adjusting tension on the support.

Two types: Stem tendrils (passionflowers, grapes) are shoots growing from the stem. Leaf tendrils (peas) look similar but are modified leaves emerging from a leaf node.

Like rock climbers needing handholds, tendril plants need horizontal supports. Netting works if mesh >2″ square. I once tried sweet peas on bird netting—they refused to hold. Brushy branches with many side shoots work; smooth vertical sticks don't. Horizontal strings on posts or bamboo poles are ideal—strings no more than 4″ apart so new tendrils reach the next level. Tendrils ~1″ long need thin supports (string/wire ≤¼″ diameter).

Examples

Stem tendrils: Passionflower (Passiflora), Grape (Vitis), Ampelopsis glandulosa.

Leaf tendrils: Sweet peas (Lathyrus), Cobaea scandens, Chilean glory flower (Eccremocarpus scaber).

Twining Leaves and Stems

Twining leaves: Clematis, Climbing nasturtium (Tropaeolum polyphyllum), Rhodochiton. Young leaves twist around slender wires, string, twigs, other leaves. Key: thin support for leaf stem to curl around. Lattice of 1″ slats won't work.

Twining stems: Pole beans, Dutchman's pipe (Aristolochia), Bittersweet (Celastrus scandens), Morning glory, Moonflower (Ipomoea), Jasmine (Jasminum), Honeysuckle (Lonicera), Black-eyed Susan vine (Thunbergia), Wisteria. Stems twist around whatever they touch—pole, branch, wire, chair leg. Direction (clockwise/counterclockwise) depends on species.

Loose twining: gourds. Strong twining: thunbergia, wisteria, morning glory, jasmine, Dutchman's pipe. Some become massive and heavy—wisteria famously pulls down porches. For large perennial vines, provide strong support.

Scramblers

Bougainvillea, climbing/rambling roses—long flexible stems that look like vines but can't climb on their own. Thorns may help grip neighbors. To “climb” a trellis, arbor, or pergola, tack them in place and tie with wire or sturdy string.

Adhesive Pads

Boston ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata), Virginia creeper (P. quinquefolia) have stem tendrils with touch-sensitive adhesive pads that stick to almost any surface. They attach to building faces or tree trunks. Without vertical support, they'll crawl sideways, attaching to anything in path.

Clinging Stem Roots

Climbing hydrangea (Hydrangea petiolaris), most ivies (English ivy Hedera helix, Irish ivy Hedera hibernica), euonymus. Stems produce clusters of short, stout roots clinging to almost any surface. Can damage paint and mortar if removed from structures.

Examples

Scramblers: Bougainvillea, Cape leadwort (Plumbago), Climbing rose (Rosa).

Adhesive pads: Cissus, Boston ivy (Parthenocissus).

Clinging stem roots: Euonymus, English ivy (Hedera), Climbing hydrangea (Hydrangea petiolaris).