Silver Lace Vine Care: How To Grow A Silver Lace Vine

Silver lace plant (Polygonum aubertii) is a vigorous, deciduous to semi-evergreen vine that can grow up to 12 feet (3.5 m.) in one year. This drought-tolerant vine twists its way around arbors, fences, or porch columns. Beautiful, fragrant white flowers adorn this low maintenance plant in the summer and fall. This vine, also known as fleece vine, thrives in USDA planting zones 4 to 8. Continue reading to learn more about how to grow a silver lace vine in your garden.

How to Grow a Silver Lace Vine

Growing silver lace vines is easy. Plants can be started with 6 inch (15 cm.) tip cuttings taken in the spring or early summer. Prepare a planting mix of half sand and half perlite. Water the planting medium thoroughly and poke a hole for the cutting with your finger. Arch a piece of sturdy wire over the top of the pot. Remove the leaves from the lower two-thirds of the cutting and dip the cut end in rooting hormone. Place the cutting into the planting hole. Attach a plastic bag over the arch so that the bag does not touch the cutting. Locate the cutting in a place where it will receive indirect light and keep the soil moist. The cutting should form roots within three weeks. Harden the new plant off in a protected area outside before transplanting. Then plant the new vine in a location that receives morning sun and afternoon shade. Keep the young plant well watered until established. Silver vine plants can also be started from seed. Collect seeds from the vine plant and store them in a paper bag until you are ready to plant. Soak seeds in water overnight for best germination.

Care of Silver Lace Vine

Silver lace vine care is easy, as these adaptable plants require very little care once established and are not overly picky about the soil they are grown in. However, this vine can quickly become invasive in some areas unless growth is restricted or contained on a self-standing arbor or fence. Trim the vine before new spring growth emerges, removing any dead wood and cutting it back for size. The vine will handle severe pruning if done in early spring. Soak garden clippers in hydrogen peroxide before clipping and discard cuttings. Provide fertilizer sparingly during the growing season. The growing and care of silver lace vines are simple enough for just about anyone. These beautiful vines will make a stunning addition along an arbor or trellis in the garden, filling the area with its intoxicating fragrance.