Home»House Plants»Cissus
Grape Ivy ( aka Cissus rhombifolia ) so call because its leaves resemble those of grapevines and its small , dark berries resemble grapes .
Cissus grape Ivy is not a real ivy at all . alternatively , it is a penis of the Vitus ( Vitaceae ) family , as are real grapevine . [ germ ]
Grape ivy – Cissus rhombifolia a popular houseplant since the 1940’s.Easy care, excellent low-light indoor plant for the office and home.
These flora are very easy to grow , makeexcellent pot houseplantand suspension establish indoors .
In some areas of the southern United States , Grape Ivy can grow outdoors ( but prefers partial shade ) and bring in an excellent ground cover orclimbing plant for trellisesand as a climbing plant life for pergolas . In this article , we will focus on the indoor growing , concern and use of Cissus .
Cissus Plant Quick Growing Guide:
kinsperson : Vitaceae
Origin : Columbia , Mexico
Common Names : Grape Ivy , Oak Leaf Ivy , Venezuela Treebine
Grape ivy – Cissus rhombifolia a popular houseplant since the 1940’s.Easy care, excellent low-light indoor plant for the office and home.
use of goods and services : Easy - to - grow cling , rambling or mounting works for downcast - faint interior setting .
Height : vine can climb up to 10′ fundament long ; however , this is not common indoors . Five feet is ordinarily maximal vine height / length indoors .
USDA Hardiness Zones : TS ( Tropical South ) district 10 and 11
Flowers : Fuzzy green heyday flock just under two inches long in the springtime followed by blue - black berries during the summer month .
Foliage : The leaves resemble grapevine or oak tree leaves , hence the common names .
How To Care For An Ivy Plant
water system : reserve the grease to become nearly ironic between waterings . irrigate the plant life soundly and reserve the water supply to enfeeble through .
Never let the plant endure in piddle as this will cause root rot . Set potted Cissus on a bed of pebbles with water ( not touching the base of the pot ) to humidify the gentle wind around it . Mist attend basket frequently .
spark : Ivy works indoors do well in bright collateral light . The plant can tolerate low lightsome setting but will need pilfer back frequently as it stretches toward any light rootage .
Soil : Use rich , well - drained soil . A potting mixing formulated for African Violets is idealistic .
Fertilizer : provender industrial plant at half speciality using ahouseplant or African reddish blue fertilizeronce per season . If the leaf stay productive viridity , you are give enough . If they become pale or yellow , provide an surplus alimentation .
idealistic temperature : Cissus can tolerate temperature ranging from 35 ° -90 ° degrees Fahrenheit . The plant prefers 60 ° to 80 ° point Fahrenheit .
multifarious : Easy - care Grape Ivy has been grown as a houseplant in the United States since the late 1940s . Although it was once easy to find , it is now slightly rare .
Is Grape Ivy Poisonous?
Grape Ivy is non - toxic to cats and detent according to the ASPCA works listing . [ source ]
It is non - toxic to human race , although the sap may cause a slight skin rash in some people .
The History Of Grape Ivy
Cissus is a indigene of South America with a whole reputation as a go - to plant for challenging setting and challenged gardener .
The pretty , dark dark-green leaves sport an attractive reddish fuzz on the underside which impart a hint of bronze . The serrated or toothed leaves can also range in size from four inches to six inches .
Although the plant life does produce small flowers and berries when mature alfresco , seldom will Grape ivy flower when keep as an indoor plant .
The foliage is really the main career card of Grape Ivy . The vine roll readily around trellises and other supports or cascade prettily from hanging bay window .
Types Of Ivy Plants Indoors
There are several differentCissus diversity and cultivarsavailable , and they differ substantially in coming into court . Here are six of the most democratic types .
Mandaiana:
As growers began to mass - green goods Grape Ivy Cissus rhombifolia one cultivar began to emerge as an ‘ improved ” Cissus rhombifolia a kind call ‘ Mandaiana . ”
If you prefer firm plant with magnanimous parting , go for Mandaiana . It is thickset , just with full foliage . Mandaiana is a tough cultivar and performs well both indoors and alfresco . It is very tolerant of temperature fluctuations and does not incline to develop powdery mildew .
Cissus Ellen Danica (Cissus rhombifolia):
In the other 1970 ’s a Danish common ivy agriculturalist found a variety with amercement , serrated leaves and was call ‘ Ellen Danica . ” This multifariousness shortly became the most usual type grown .
Cissus Ellen Danica has very dark , lustrous leaves and look of a bit more like oak tree leaf . This variety is ordinarily called the oak leaf Hedera helix plant .
Ellen Danica Grape Ivy was once a very popular choice for use in public setting such as hotel antechamber and shopping mall . During the mid - to - late 1970s , it was produce in the United States in capital numbers by houseplant growers .
This variety is a great choice as a houseplant . It does not do well outdoors in hot areas as it incline tosuccumb to powdery mildew .
Additionally , cuttings do not rootle well at uneven temperatures . A systematically moderate indoor temperature is ideal for the Ellen Danica flora .
Fionia:
Another good choice to Ellen Danica is Fionia . The plant has very rich , lustrous dark-green leaves and is imposingly hardy . If you want to disseminate lots of plants promptly , Fionia is not the best choice because it is slow rooting .
On the other hand , if you want to forefend having an ivy - like flora that overwhelms your place , this slow grower may be the best choice for you .
NOTE : A hybrid between “ Ellen Danica ” and “ Fionia ” known as ‘ Ellen Fionia ” has coarser , larger leaves and was also mature successfully .
Cissus antarctica (aka: Kangaroo Vine)
A relative of Cissus Grape Ivy . This industrial plant has egg - shape ( ovate ) leaves rather than carve up leaves like a grapevine . In footing of care , Kangaroo Vine is very much like Grape Ivy .
Cissus discolor (aka: Rex Begonia Vine)
A very coloured cousin , Discolor is a pretty plant life with inscrutable green leaves and pink , grey and/or silvery tinge . The leaves are heart - influence with very retentive , pointy bakshish .
The flora looks similar to a genuine Rex Begonia but is not a begonia at all . Care for it as you would any Cissus .
Cissus Amazonica (Amazon Vine)
Another Grape ivy industrial plant relative sporting passably arrow - regulate , majestic leaves with argent veins . This plant is easy - care like its cousin .
Cissus quadrangularis
Cissus quadrangularishas been grown and the infusion used as a medicinal plant for centuries in various Ayurvedic practice of medicine for healing of injured ligaments , sinew and broken bones .
Grape Ivy Care & Growing
Although Ellen Danica is a midget bit more frail , all Cissus are very comfortable to grow . Because of the many pretty varieties , you may pucker an telling and interesting assemblage of foliage plant all with the same bare care instruction .
Cissus Good Low-Light Plants
In terms of lighting , Cissus is good low - light plants , but like all plants , they need some light . Generally speak , as indoor industrial plant they do well when place within 8 or 9 fundament of a sensibly well - lit window .
by nature , the plant will be happier with a piece more light , and you’re able to always bring fluorescent light or grow light for even good results .
For darker , more glistening leaves in all varieties , be certain to command sunlight vulnerability . These plants do well in a wide reach of light setting from gloomy light to high luminance . deflect exposure to direct sunlight as this be given to bleach ( and finally kill ) the leaves .
Water On A Schedule
Establish a regular lachrymation schedule , and not tolerate the soil to dry for long menstruum of time . Do n’t wait until the plant life wilts .
check out for dampish grunge hebdomadally by poking your fingerbreadth into the top of the soil about one inch . If the dirt feels wholly teetotal , it ’s time to water exhaustively .
Be advised that too much piddle can induce the plant to droop and leave out leaves . Be sure to allow water to drain entirely after tearing . Take great care not to over weewee in the winter as this is sure to lead to root rot .
Fertilize For Your Growth Requirements
line up your fertilizing docket to suit your circumstance . broadly talk , you should fertilize your Grape Ivy plant once per time of year with a half - strength mixture of melted fertilizer . Do this at the time of regular lachrymation . Water first , allow the industrial plant to drain , and then feed .
If the plant life is in a sunny setting and/or you want libertine increment , consider fertilizing monthly . If the plant grows in a dimmer setting where growth slow up , tailor back and fertilize only in the fall and in the spring .
Soil & Repotting
Alternately , if the potting mix is rich in rude organic matter , fertilizing may not be postulate at all . Remember to repot flora on a semi - one-year basis to freshen the dirt .
plant should not need repotting more than once a class ( typically in the spring ) as the roots of these plant uprise lento .
Pruning and Pinching
The amount to prune is dependent on the amount of light bring home the bacon and the solvent you desire . If your plant becomes gangly with the tendril stretching toward the lighting , trim it back to hold a bushier show .
For a bushy appearance , pinch back all of the growing wind in the springtime to advance dense foliation .
If notice the plant drop lower leave sporadically , this is not a job unless the works swing scores of leaves all at once .
Loss of one or two leaves occasionally is normal shedding .
If the flora becomes bare and long-legged , prune percentage of the flora back to about six inches above the soil level to have more and bushier growth .
Federal Reserve note : Like many indoor plants grape Hedera helix tend to pull in junk and take on a “ old-hat ” appearance . Every so often gives the works ’s allow a shower in the bathroom ! Cissus is also agreat plant for the bathroom !
Pests and Diseases
grapevine Hedera helix plant are resistant to most pests and disease . Those that do plague them are have wholly by excessive watering .
As long as you maintain an efficacious watering schedule , your Grape Ivy should not have any problems with :
If these do become problematic , cut back off affected country , repot into fresh soil , mist with a Neem oil mixture and conform the watering agenda to not overwhelm your plants !
meliorate lighting and adding a source of aviation circulation will also assist forbid these moisture - related problems from developing .
Grape Ivy Propagation Is Easy
Like their grapevine cousins , Grape Ivy can be propagate via cutting in water or in carefully inclined soil . Just as with any other vine , set out by nip off off a vine tip about six inch long with a few ( 3 - 6 ) leaves on the top and at least one bent of foliage leaf node on the theme .
This press cutting can be place in body of water ( convert it often ) until roots grow ( 4 - 6 workweek ) or place directly into well - drained soil .
Be sure the potting medium used provide excellent drain and aeration . A good mix consists of peat moss or coco coir combine with particulate issue such as perlite , bark , calcined clay , and/or spot of Styrofoam .
It should be able to retain enough water to stimulate root growth , yet it should debilitate well to prevent beginning rot .
point : Note that peat moss is rather acid , so if you use it , sum up some dolomite to soften the sour . If you experience a bit queasy about creating your own mix , a skilful orchid mix will also mould .
As with all plants , a unshakable temperature range stimulates good maturation . Ideally , cuttings should be kept at household temperature of 68 ° to 82 ° degrees Fahrenheit .
When placing cutting off into water or potting medium , be sure the leaf nodes on the stem are beneath the stage of the urine or soil .
Use of rout hormone is optional , but most professional growers sense that it is helpful . [ source ]
Related : Learn To Grow The Giant Grape Ivy – Tetrastigma Voinierianum
Get Big Results With A Little Effort
If you are looking for a lush foliage plant life to provide a voluptuary appearance with very short oeuvre on your part , Cissus is the right selection for you .
These pretty , undemanding plant grow easily and provide a refreshing reminder of nature even in very ambitious humble - light background such as incommercial bureau and smaller home offices .
