Chinese Dregea Dregea sinensis
ABOUT
Dregea sinensis, commonly known as Chinese Dregea, is a climbing plant with a twining growth habit, making it an ornamental choice for gardens where it can wrap around supports or trellises. The leaves of Chinese Dregea are heart-shaped, with pointed tips and a smooth texture. They are a rich green, adding a lush appearance to the foliage. The plant blooms with clusters of fragrant flowers that have a creamy-white to pale pink hue. These flowers are small and star-shaped, typically appearing in abundance and adding a delicate, soft look to the plant when in bloom. Chinese Dregea's flowers are visually appealing and can attract pollinators like butterflies and bees to a garden. After the flowering period, the plant produces slender, elongated fruits that dangle from the vine. These fruits may add further visual interest to the plant's appearance throughout the season. Overall, the Chinese Dregea's charming and graceful aspect, combined with its fragrant flowers, makes it a desirable climbing plant for enhancing vertical spaces in gardens without taking up much ground area.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Apocynaceae.
Synonyms
Chinese Dregea, Wattakaka, Climbing Milkweed.
Common names
Wattakaka sinensis, Dregea volubilis sinensis.
ToxicityTo humans
Dregea sinensis, commonly known as Chinese Dregea, is not well documented for its toxicity to humans in the scientific literature available up to my last update in early 2023. However, it is generally advisable to be cautious with plants that have not been thoroughly studied for their potential toxic effects. In the absence of specific information regarding the toxicity of Chinese Dregea to humans, it should not be ingested, and if accidental ingestion occurs, medical attention should be sought.
To pets
Chinese Dregea is not widely recognized for its toxicity to pets in the scientific literature as of my last update in 2023. However, similar to the guidance for humans, the lack of information warrants caution. Pets should not be allowed to ingest parts of the Chinese Dregea plant, and if they do, a veterinarian should be consulted to ensure the safety and health of the animal.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
White
Height
10 feet (3 meters)
Spread
6 feet (1.8 meters)
Plant type
Climber
Hardiness zones
8
Native area
China
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental use: Dregea sinensis, also known as Chinese Dregea, is often grown for its climbing habit and attractive foliage, making it a popular choice for gardens and landscaping.
- Ecosystem support: It can provide habitat and food for a variety of insects and birds, thereby supporting local biodiversity.
- Shade provision: With its dense growth, Chinese Dregea can provide shade in gardens and outdoor spaces, offering relief from direct sunlight.
- Soil improvement: The plant's root system can help prevent soil erosion and improve soil structure by enabling better water penetration.
- Privacy screen: Fast-growing climbers like Chinese Dregea can be used to create living privacy screens, obscuring views and reducing noise.
- Cultural significance: It may have cultural or symbolic importance in certain regions, contributing to the heritage of gardening and plant use.
Medical Properties- Antipyretic: Dregea sinensis has been used in traditional medicine to help reduce fever.
- Anti-inflammatory: The plant may have properties that help alleviate inflammation.
- Expectorant: It has been used to help expel phlegm and mucus from the respiratory tract.
- Analgesic: Dregea sinensis is used in traditional medicine for its potential pain-relieving effects.
- Antitussive: It has been utilized to help suppress coughing.
- Healing of wounds: There is evidence to suggest that Dregea sinensis may promote wound healing.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Dye: The roots of the dregea sinensis can be used to create a natural dye for textiles, providing a range of earthy tones.
- Ornamental: The vine's attractive foliage and clusters of fragrant flowers make it a popular choice for ornamental purposes in gardens and landscapes.
- Privacy Screening: It can be cultivated to form dense screens or privacy hedges in outdoor spaces.
- Butterfly Garden: The plant is known to attract butterflies, making it an excellent addition to butterfly gardens.
- Shade Provider: When grown over arbors or pergolas, dregea sinensis can provide shade in sunny outdoor areas.
- Live Fencing: The sturdy vines can be trained along fences to create a living fence that adds greenery to property borders.
- Erosion Control: The plant can be used on slopes or banks for erosion control due to its spreading habitat.
- Cultural Symbolism: In some cultures, the dregea sinensis is used in nuptial ceremonies or planted to symbolize good fortune.
- Fragrance Production: The sweet scent of the flowers could be used in making perfumes or fragrant oils.
- Potting Plant: It can be grown in large containers as a patio or indoor decorative plant, given enough light is provided.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Dregea sinensis, commonly known as the Wattakaka vine or Chinese Dregea, is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Wattakaka vine is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Resilience - Dregea sinensis, also known as Wattakaka sinensis or Chinese Dregea, often grows in challenging environments, signifying the ability to adapt and thrive in difficult conditions.
- Purity - The plant's white, fragrant flowers can symbolize purity and innocence.
- Connection - In some cultures, the climbing nature of Dregea sinensis represents the connection between the earth and the heavens.
- Motherhood - As a plant that is sometimes used in traditional medicine to aid lactation, it may symbolize nurturing and motherhood.
WaterFor Chinese Dregea, water the plant thoroughly once the top inch of soil has dried out. During the growing season, this could mean watering approximately every week, but always check the soil moisture before watering to avoid overwatering. You should aim to use about 1 to 1.5 gallons of water per watering session for a medium-sized plant, ensuring it reaches the root zone without leaving the soil waterlogged. In winter, reduce watering frequency to every few weeks, depending on the humidity and temperature of your environment, as the plant enters a dormant phase and requires less moisture.
LightChinese Dregea prefers bright, indirect light to thrive. It should be placed near a window that receives plenty of filtered sunlight, such as through sheer curtains. Direct sunlight can be harsh and may lead to leaf scorch, so avoid placing your Chinese Dregea in a south-facing window without protection from direct rays. East or west-facing windows are usually ideal spots for this plant.
TemperatureChinese Dregea thrives in temperatures ranging from 60 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. It can tolerate a minimum temperature of about 50 degrees Fahrenheit but should be protected from extreme cold, as it is not frost-tolerant. Ideally, maintain a consistent temperature and avoid sudden temperature fluctuations to prevent stress on the plant.
PruningPrune Chinese Dregea to maintain shape, encourage bushier growth, and remove any dead or damaged stems. Pruning is best done in the spring before the new growth starts. Cut back the plant by about a third of its size, and ensure to use clean, sharp pruning tools to make clean cuts. Pruning can be done annually or as required to keep the plant looking tidy.
CleaningAs needed
SoilFor the Chinese climbing milkweed, a rich, well-draining soil mix is ideal, incorporating organic compost or peat, perlite, and some sand. A slightly acidic to neutral pH of 6.0 to 7.0 will support healthy plant growth.
RepottingChinese climbing milkweed should be repotted every 2-3 years in the springtime to refresh the soil and accommodate root growth.
Humidity & MistingChinese climbing milkweed prefers moderate to high humidity levels, ideally between 40% to 60%.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Provide bright indirect light and maintain moderate humidity.
Outdoor
Place in semi-shade, protect from strong winds, water regularly.
Hardiness zone
7-10 USDA
Life cycleDregea sinensis, commonly known as the Chinese Dregea, is a perennial climbing plant. It starts its lifecycle as a seed, which upon finding suitable moist soil, germinates and grows into a young seedling. The seedling develops into a vigorous vine with heart-shaped leaves, and given support, it climbs onto surrounding structures or plants. As it matures, typically in the spring to summer months, it produces clusters of small, fragrant, white to cream flowers. Following pollination, these flowers develop into paired, winged fruit called follicles that contain seeds. When the follicles mature, they release seeds that can be dispersed by wind, allowing the cycle to begin anew with germination in a suitable location.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-early summer
The most popular method of propagating the Dregea sinensis, commonly known as Wattakaka or Chinese Dregea, is through semi-hardwood cuttings. The best time to carry out this process is during the late spring or early summer when the plant is actively growing. Cuttings should be taken from healthy, disease-free plants, making sure they are about 4 to 6 inches (approximately 10 to 15 centimeters) in length. Each cutting should have at least two to three leaves and should be cut just below a node. The lower leaves are usually removed, and the cut end is often dipped in rooting hormone to encourage root development. The prepared cuttings are then placed in a well-draining soil mix and kept in a warm, humid environment until roots have developed, which usually takes a few weeks. Regular misting and ensuring the soil remains moist but not waterlogged are key to successful propagation.
