Monkey's Comb
Pithecoctenium cynanchoides
Pickup currently unavailable at Aiken Nursery
Pithecoctenium cynanchoides, the monkey's comb, is a vigorous, tendril-climbing vine of the trumpet-creeper family, Bignoniaceae, native to the warm woodlands and thickets of South America. Semi-evergreen in mild climates, the vine climbs by many-branched tendrils and clothes a support quickly in heart-shaped, three-parted leaves, the terminal leaflet often turned into a grasping tendril of its own.
Through the warm season the vine carries showy, tubular flowers, creamy white with a soft yellow throat, held in short terminal clusters and drawing pollinators. The bloom is handsome, but the real curiosity comes after: a thick, woody, flattened capsule covered in dense bristles, so like a stiff comb or hairbrush that the plant earned the name monkey's comb, and dries to a striking oddity that splits to release papery winged seeds.
Give Pithecoctenium cynanchoides a sturdy trellis, arbor, pergola, or fence in full sun to part shade and well-drained, fertile soil, and room for a fast, twenty-foot climber to run. Water through dry spells while establishing, then let the vine take the heat in stride, and prune after flowering to keep the growth in bounds and spur the next season's bloom.
Site the monkey's comb where both the flowers and the extraordinary combed fruit can be met at close range, on a warm wall, a garden structure, or a fence along a path, and treat the plant as a conversation piece as much as a flowering vine. At the cold edge of the range, grow in a large container that can shelter through hard freezes.
- Hardiness
- USDA Zones 8–9
- Sun
- Full Sun, Part Shade
- Soil
- Well-drained, Fertile
- Mature size
- Height 20–30 Feet · Spread 6–15 Feet
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Seasonality
- Semi-Evergreen
Creamy white with a yellow throat, warm season
From rooting to shipping, our top priority is ensuring you receive healthy, thriving plants for your garden’s success.
Because most of our plants are grown from rooted cuttings — alongside seed, air layering, and grafting chosen for each variety — you receive a stronger, true-to-type plant that establishes quickly in your garden.
Raised on organic soil blends and eco-friendly pest management — never harsh chemicals — your plant arrives healthy for your garden, your family, and the pollinators they feed.
Every purchase gives back. We donate to the Aiken Arboretum and support local wildlife conservation, so growing your garden helps protect the wider ecosystem too.
All our plant material is carefully propagated, grown, and nurtured at our humble nursery in Aiken, South Carolina.
Your plant arrives carefully packed and ready to settle in. Unpack them promptly, give them a day or two to acclimate, then plant following the notes we include — that’s all it takes. Clear care guidance comes with every order, so success is the easy part.
What to expect upon delivery
All our plants are sold in 1-gallon sizes, though the height of each plant can vary depending on its growth rate and seasonality, typically ranging from 1/2 to 2.5 feet.
Each plant is carefully packaged with its roots enclosed in a secure plastic bag containing moist soil, forming a compact root ball. To ensure safe transport, the box is padded with recycled newspaper, providing both stability and eco-friendly protection from weather during shipping.
What is your return policy?
Review our full return policy information on our SHIPPING AND RETURNS POLICY page.
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Can I make changes to my order after it’s been placed?
At Woodlanders, we strive to fulfill orders as quickly as possible. Therefore, we can only accommodate changes to your order within the first 24 hours after it has been placed. These changes include adding or removing products and modifying the delivery address. If you need to make any changes or if there has been a mistake with your order information, please reach out to us promptly via our CONTACT page with your order number for the quickest resolution.
Your satisfaction is our priority, and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation.