Centipede plant (Muehlenbeckia platyclada)
Discover the unique Muehlenbeckia platyclada, the Centipede plant. An architectural evergreen shrub ideal for warm climates, noted for its ribbon-like stems.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The Centipede plant (Muehlenbeckia platyclada) offers one of the most unusual architectural forms in the subtropical garden. Its value lies primarily in its dense, sprawling tangle of flattened, glossy, leafless green stems, which mimic ribbons or tapeworms, giving rise to its common names like Ribbon bush. This evergreen shrub, native to the Solomon Islands and New Guinea, creates a striking visual texture with its jointed stems that often stand upright before beginning to flop, requiring some support for the best display.
While the flowers are small, the resulting fall berries are notably showy, adding seasonal interest to the unique foliage display of Muehlenbeckia platyclada. It thrives in warm zones, tolerating temperatures down to about 25 degrees F, making it a reliable specimen plant where hardy. Gardeners appreciate the Centipede plant for its ability to stand out as an accent piece, especially when planted in strategic locations where its strange form can be fully appreciated.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Polygonaceae
- Plant Type: Broadleaf evergreen
- Native Range: Solomon Islands, New Guinea
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 9-12
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 4-8 ft
- Spread: 4-8 ft
- Bloom Time: April
- Bloom Description: Green to greenish-white
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
When planting Muehlenbeckia platyclada, select a location that receives full sun to part shade. It performs best when situated in moist, well-drained soils, though established plants demonstrate some tolerance to drought conditions. While this shrub can handle close to full shade, performance and stem structure are generally superior in lightly shaded or partially sunny spots.
Watering should be consistent, aiming for medium requirements. A critical care note involves watering the soil directly rather than wetting the foliage, as Muehlenbeckia platyclada is susceptible to powdery mildew. Pruning is generally minimal, focusing on managing the sprawling habit or removing damaged stems if necessary. In very cold areas outside Zone 9, treat this plant as an annual or grow Container plants indoors for the winter, protecting them from temperatures dipping below freezing.
Propagation for the Centipede plant is most easily achieved through cuttings taken from new growth. If you are located near the lower end of its hardiness range, ensure adequate protection, as this is an evergreen shrub that can tolerate short dips to about 25 degrees F but benefits from mild conditions.
Landscape Uses
In regions where it is winter hardy, Muehlenbeckia platyclada functions exceptionally well as an interesting garden accent due to its strong structural element. Its unique architecture makes it a superb focal point against simpler, fine-textured plantings. It is also an excellent choice for containers, suitable for placement on outside patios during the warm season or as a sunny indoor specimen during winter dormancy periods.
The height and spread of the Centipede plant (4 to 8 feet in both directions) mean it can anchor corners or act as a unique backdrop plant. Consider pairing its wide, flat stems with fine, vertical grasses or broad-leafed tropicals to maximize the textural contrast. Its somewhat floppy habit when mature can also be useful where it can cascade slightly over retaining walls or large containers.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Fruit Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Muehlenbeckia platycladum, commonly known as ribbon bush or tapeworm plant, is an unusual mound-forming evergreen shrub from the knotweed family. It is considered to be unusual because of its dense somewhat tangled mass of flattened, glossy, leafless, medium-green stems (phylloclades) which remain mostly upright until reaching 3’ tall or so at which point they begin to flop unless supported. Tiny green to greenish-white flowers bloom at the stem joints in spring, followed by showy berries which mature to black in fall.
Tolerances
- Drought
Potential Problems
This shrub generally avoids serious, widespread insect or disease issues, though vigilance is required for certain problems. The primary concern for Muehlenbeckia platyclada is susceptibility to powdery mildew; prevention involves ensuring good air circulation and avoiding overhead watering that wets the foliage. Gardeners should also watch for scale infestations, treating them promptly if they appear.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Centipede plant suitable for?
The Centipede plant is best suited for USDA Hardiness Zones 9 through 12, where it can thrive outdoors year-round as an evergreen.
How large does Centipede plant grow?
This unusual shrub typically reaches a mature height between 4 and 8 feet tall, with a similar spread of 4 to 8 feet, creating a dense, somewhat tangled mound.
When does Centipede plant bloom?
Muehlenbeckia platyclada produces small, green to greenish-white flowers in April, followed later in the season by noticeable black berries.
What sun exposure does Centipede plant need?
For optimal growth, the Centipede plant requires full sun to part shade; it can tolerate more shade but will perform best when it receives ample light.
Conclusion
The Muehlenbeckia platyclada, or Centipede plant, offers unparalleled structural appeal in warm-climate gardens, marked by its distinctive ribbon-like stems. Its medium maintenance requirements and drought tolerance once established make it a practical choice for the curious gardener. Before planting, confirm that your locale falls within USDA Zones 9-12 to ensure this unique evergreen thrives.
Propagation Tips
Propagating the Ribbon bush is straightforward for the home gardener who wishes to expand their collection or share cuttings. Since it roots readily, propagation is typically achieved successfully through cuttings taken from new, healthy growth. Ensure cuttings are placed in a suitable medium and kept consistently moist but not waterlogged, mimicking the moist soil environment it prefers naturally.
Taking cuttings allows you to multiply your supply of this unusual shrub without relying on seed germination, which can be slow or unreliable. This method is the most recommended way to introduce new Muehlenbeckia platyclada plants to your landscape or containers.
Companion Planting
To enhance the visual impact of the textured stems of the Centipede plant, consider pairing it with plants that offer finer, contrasting foliage textures. Fine-bladed grasses that thrive in similar sun and water conditions make excellent neighbors, emphasizing the flat structure of the Muehlenbeckia stems. Conversely, plants with very large, solid leaves can make the architecture of the Centipede plant appear even more graphic and strange when viewed together.
When selecting companions, always remember the cultural needs of Muehlenbeckia platyclada: medium water, well-drained soil, and protection from excessive overhead moisture to prevent mildew. Select plants that share this preference for a low-stress, harmonious planting scheme.
