Rangoon creeper Combretum indicum
Rangoon creeper (Combretum indicum) is an evergreen perennial flowering plant in the Combretaceae family, native to Tropical Asia. It grows 3–8 m (10–26 ft) tall and 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about 2 °C (36 °F). Space plants about 2 m (6.6 ft) apart.
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Rangoon creeper at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Combretaceae |
| Mature height | 3–8 m (10–26 ft) |
| Mature spread | 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) |
| Spacing | 2 m (6.6 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 2 °C (36 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 40 °C (104 °F) |
| Flowering | about 34–77 weeks after planting, for 21–39 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Tropical Asia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇮🇳 India, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇲🇾 Malaysia, 🇵🇭 Philippines, 🇻🇳 Vietnam, 🇮🇩 Indonesia |
| Invasive in | Florida: check local rules before planting |
Is Rangoon creeper toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
- Parts: seeds
Eating the seeds can cause hiccups and stomach upset.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Rangoon creeper
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Questions about Rangoon creeper
- How far apart should I plant Rangoon creeper?
- About 2 m (6.6 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft).
- Does Rangoon creeper need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Rangoon creeper need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Rangoon creeper?
- It tolerates about 2 °C (36 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10.
- When does Rangoon creeper flower?
- About 34–77 weeks after planting, for 21–39 weeks.
- Is Rangoon creeper poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people mildly toxic. Eating the seeds can cause hiccups and stomach upset.
- What grows well with Rangoon creeper?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Rangoon creeper. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- UF/IFAS Extension tropical and subtropical fruit and landscape publications, University of Florida
- Flora & Fauna Web, National Parks Board, Singapore
Notes and assumptions
- Fragrant flowers open white at dusk and turn pink, then red, over two days.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Tropical almond (Indian almond, hu kwang) Terminalia catappa
- Kakadu plum (gubinge, billygoat plum) Terminalia ferdinandiana
- Sunflower Helianthus annuus
- French marigold Tagetes patula
- English lavender Lavandula angustifolia
- Zinnia Zinnia elegans
- Cosmos Cosmos bipinnatus
- Purple coneflower Echinacea purpurea