Nekemias megalophylla is a deciduous woody vine from China grown almost entirely for the drama of its large foliage. New leaves emerge with a distinctive bluish-green cast, the smooth hairless stems adding to the fresh, slightly glaucous impression, and as the season progresses the leaves shift toward yellow-orange and then red as temperatures drop in autumn.

It climbs well on a trellis or along a wall and tolerates poor soil with more equanimity than many ornamental vines, making it a practical choice for difficult spots where something with presence is needed. The plant is toxic if ingested, which is worth noting in households with children or foraging animals. It is hardy from zones 5 to 9, so it has reasonable range for a vine of such distinctive appearance.