Overview

Fockea capensis is a plant with a climbing, twining habit in the genus Fockea, part of the Apocynaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Fockea capensis grows best in full sun, and tolerates loam soils and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H4. Suggested uses include container plant and indoor plant. It is native to Cape Provinces.

About

Fockea capensis is a twining, climbing plant in the Apocynaceae native to the Cape Provinces. It has deciduous foliage and a climbing habit that benefits from a support. Flowering occurs from July to September. It is suited to container or indoor culture in the UK when given a sheltered, south‑facing position.

About the genus

Fockea is a genus of succulent scrubs native to Africa south of the equator. They are members of the Asclepiadoideae (milkweeds), a subfamily of the dogbane family Apocynaceae. Of the six accepted species, only the two most widely distributed extend north of southern Africa, with F.

Wikipedia contributors, "Fockea", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Fockea

In the garden

Fockea capensis is a twining climber from the Cape Provinces belonging to the Apocynaceae. It produces deciduous foliage and twining stems that will climb when given a frame or support. In the wild it occupies dry, well‑drained sites, and that preference should guide how it is grown in cultivation. Give Fockea capensis full sun in neutral loam that is kept on the dry side; avoid heavy or waterlogged soils. A south‑facing, sheltered aspect suits it best in the UK, and the plant is rated H4 — average hardy — so it performs most reliably in warmer, protected spots or in containers that can be moved under cover over cold periods. Keep watering light during dormancy and allow the medium to dry between waterings while shoots are active. It works well in a pot on a warm, sheltered patio, or as an indoor specimen where it can be trained up a trellis or stout cane. Flowering takes place July to September, so position the plant where blooms can be observed at close range. Provide a fixed support for the twining stems to prevent tangling and give the plant room to climb within its container.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Fockea

Sunlight

Full sun

Soil type

Loam

Soil pH

Neutral

Soil moisture

Dry

Aspect

South-facing

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness

H4

Plant details

Fockea capensis size, habit and characteristics

Habit

Climbing, Twining

Foliage

Deciduous

Suggested uses

Container plant, Indoor plant

Native to

Cape Provinces

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Fockea capensis

Propagation

Stem cuttings

Pest resistance

Susceptible to mealybugs, aphids

Disease resistance

Susceptible to root rot

Frequently asked questions