Snake vine (climbing guinea flower) Hibbertia scandens
Snake vine (climbing guinea flower) (Hibbertia scandens) is an evergreen perennial flowering plant in the Dilleniaceae family, native to Coastal Queensland and New South Wales. It grows 2–5 m (6.6–16 ft) tall and 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -2 °C (28 °F). Space plants about 1.5 m (4.9 ft) apart.
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Snake vine (climbing guinea flower) at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Dilleniaceae |
| Mature height | 2–5 m (6.6–16 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) |
| Spacing | 1.5 m (4.9 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -2 °C (28 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 40 °C (104 °F) |
| Flowering | about 52–104 weeks after planting, for 13–21 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | High |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Coastal Queensland and New South Wales |
| Common in gardens of | 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇳🇿 New Zealand, 🇿🇦 South Africa |
Is Snake vine (climbing guinea flower) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not known to be poisonous.
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 Snake vine (climbing guinea flower)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Snake vine (climbing guinea flower)
- How far apart should I plant Snake vine (climbing guinea flower)?
- About 1.5 m (4.9 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft).
- Does Snake vine (climbing guinea flower) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Snake vine (climbing guinea flower) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Snake vine (climbing guinea flower)?
- It tolerates about -2 °C (28 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Snake vine (climbing guinea flower) flower?
- About 52–104 weeks after planting, for 13–21 weeks.
- Is Snake vine (climbing guinea flower) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not known to be poisonous.
- What grows well with Snake vine (climbing guinea flower)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Snake vine (climbing guinea flower). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- PlantNET: the NSW Flora Online, National Herbarium of New South Wales, Botanic Gardens of Sydney
- Australian native plant profiles, Australian National Botanic Gardens / Australian Plants Society
Notes and assumptions
- A vigorous twining or scrambling evergreen with glossy leaves and large, bright yellow, five-petalled flowers through the warm months; also used as a groundcover on coastal banks, where it takes salt wind.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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