Grape Ivy (Cissus rhombifolia) Care Indoors; Watering, Light, Soil, Propagation, Problems

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Cissus rhombifolia (Grape Ivy) grows best in bright indirect light, average warmth and humidity, and moderately moist, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.

Cissus rhombifolia also called Oakleaf Ivy or Venezuela Treebine is one of the most tolerant of plants which will tolerate sun or shade, hot or cold air, dry or moist conditions.

Each leaf is made up of 3 leaflets, silvery at first and dark green and glossy when mature. Oakleaf Ivy bears tendrils by which it clings to supports.

As with all vines, Grape Ivy Houseplant can be used for clothing bare surfaces, for a hanging basket, as a climber on a pole or trellis or as a ground cover.

Like the fast-growing Tolmiea menziesii (Piggyback Plant ), Cissus rhombifolia among favored plants for a hanging basket.

Botanical name: Cissus rhombifolia
synonym: Cissus alata
Family: Vitaceae
Common names: Grape Ivy, Grape Ivy Plant, Grape Ivy Houseplant, Oakleaf Ivy, Venezuela Treebine

Origin

Cissus rhombifolia also called Cissus alata is native to the New World Tropics, from Mexico to Bolivia, and Venezuela, Trinidad and Guyana.

Is Grape Ivy pet-friendly?

Grape Ivy is non-toxic to both humans and pets according to ASPCA.

Varieties

Several varieties of Cissus rhombifolia are available for indoor growing.

• Ellen Danica (Mermaid Vine) has lobed leaflets.


• Jubilee has large dark green leaflets.


• Cape Grape (Evergreen Grape Vine) bears leaves which are undivided whose surface is glossy and brown-edged, the underside is brown and flurry.

Benefits of Grape Ivy

• Low maintenance: Requires minimal watering once established.


• Versatile: Perfect for hanging baskets, trellises, or shelves.


• Fast-growing: Grows rapidly to fill any space.


• Unique foliage: Adds aesthetic value to any space.


• Pet-safe: It is non-toxic to cats and dogs


• Tolerant: Withstands indoor conditions very well.

How to Care for Cissus rhombifolia Indoors

To care for Cissus rhombifolia indoors, give it bright indirect light, warmth of 18-27⁰C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, well drained soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.

Grape Ivy requires regular pruning to keep it neat, to reduce pest infestations, to encourage a compact growth and to rejuvenate growth. Repotting is done every two years at the beginning of the growing season. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to provide them.

Watering

Water Cissus rhombifolia liberally in spring and summer until water drips through the drainage hole. Allow the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry a little between waterings to keep the soil moderately moist. Avoid overwatering as it can result in mushy stems yellowing, drooping and leaf loss.

Decrease watering in fall and winter to maintain the soil slightly moist as growth is minimal at this time. Do not let the soil dry out completely to avoid wilting, drooping, yellowing, leaf fall and dry leaf tips.

Use water that is at room temperature as constantly watering with cold water can result in cold shock which can cause stunted growth and leaf drop. The water should be chlorine-free to prevent staining and browning of leaf edges.

Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining to prevent waterlogging which can lead to rotting and plant death.

Discard excess water from the saucer when done watering to avoid sogginess. Take care not to wet the foliage to discourage fungal diseases.

Light Requirements

Grape Ivy thrives in bright indirect light; position it infront of a bright, sunless window. Keepit away from direct sunlight as it can cause wilting and scorching of the leaves.

Though it can tolerate some shade, growth will be much slower. If the light is too little, Cissus rhombifolia may stop growing or become leggy with sparsely-spaced pale leaves. In such a case, move it to a brighter location or use a grow light if the natural lighting is not adequate.

Give the pot a quarter turn every month, to ensure that the plant receives adequate light on all sides for even growth.

Temperature & Humidity

Cissus rhombifolia prefers a warmth of 18-27⁰C with a minimum of 15⁰C. Though it can adapt to a wide range of temperatures, constantly low or high temperatures can damage the plant.

Keep it away from sources of drafts like open doors, AC units, hot air vents, radiators, drafty windows, heat sources and others, to prevent temperature flactuations which can result in reduced growth, wilting, drooping, yellowing, leaf drop and brown leaf tips.

Grape Ivy has no need for extra humidity; a humidity of 50-55% is sufficient for the plant. However, for lush growth and to reduce pest infestation, it needs more humidity. Therefore, to increase humidity set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a humidifier or group the plants together.

You may also grow the plant in a well-lit bathroom, kitchen, and other moist areas in the home. Do not mist the leaves and ensure good air flow to minimize fungal diseases.

Fertilizer

Feed Grape Ivy with a balanced, liquid fertilizer every 3-4 weeks in spring and summer for a lush growth. Stop feeding in fall and winter as growth is minimal at this time. Avoid too much fertilizer as it can cause weak, leggy growth.

Potting Soil

The best soil for Cissus rhombifolia should be a well-draining, nutrient-rich soil mix. A mix made up of 1 part potting soil, 1 part perlite or sand and 1 part peat moss or coconut coir is ideal for this plant.

Repotting

Repot Grape Ivy every 2 years during the growing period. Use a pot that is 1 size larger, that has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy, to avoid rotting and eventual death of the plant. Check out these ceramic pots on Amazon.

Pruning & Grooming

Pruning Cissus rhombifolia involves:

• Removal of yellow and dead leaves to maintain the plant neat and minimize pest and disease infestations.


• Pinching off the growing tips to encourage a bushy and compact growth; the tips can be used to propagate new plants.


• Cutting back the leggy stems to rejuvenate growth.


• Regularly cleaning the leaves under a stream of running water to get rid of dust and to discourage pest infestation.

Cissus rhombifolia Propagation

Grape Ivy is propagated at the beginning of the growing season (spring to early summer) from stem cuttings or by spreading the stems on the soil.

Taking Grape Ivy stem cuttings

The cuttings root easily so there is no need for a rooting hormone. They can be rooted in soil or in water.

• Take stem cuttings of about 4-5 inches length from a healthy plant. Ensure the cutting has 2-3 leaf nodes.


• Allow the sap from the cutend to dry out for 1-2 days to prevent rotting.

1. Propagating Grape Ivy from stem cuttings in soil

1. Fill small pots (about 6-8 inches wide) with a well-drained, rooting soil and moisten it lightly.


2. Insert 1-2 inches of the cuttings in the moist rooting soil.


3. Place the set up in a warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight.


4. Maintain the soil moist until new growth emerges from the cuttings. Roots should develop within 2-4 weeks.


5. Once you observe substantial growth, transfer the new plants into one size larger pots in well-drained soil and begin routine care.

2. Propagating Grape Ivy from stem cuttings in water

1. Place the cuttings in a jar of plain water or in a propagation station.


2. Position the set up in a brightly-lit spot away from direct sunlight to prevent scorching.


3. Change the water every 5-7 days to prevent fungal growth.


4. When the roots are about 2-3 inches, transfer the rooted cuttings into individual pots in moist, well-drained soil. For a fuller plant, transplant several cuttings into one pot.


5. Keep the soil slightly moist until the new plants are well established after which you can begin routine care.

3. Propagating Grape Ivy by spreading the stems on the soil

This method of propagation is much faster and results in more stronger, healthier plants than stem cutting propagation.

1. Spread the stems on the soil surface while still attached to the mother plant.


2. The stems will root at every point that they come into contact with the soil.


3. Once rooted, sever the stems from the mother plant, dig them up and pot them in moist soil in individual pots.


4. Place the pots in a warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight to avoid scorching.


5. Maintain the soil moist until the new plants are well established after which you can begin routine care.

Cissus rhombifolia Problems & Solutions

Grape Ivy common problems are yellow leaves, plant dying, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to solve them.

Yellow leaves

Some of the causes of yellow leaves on Cissus rhombifolia are too little light, inconsistent watering, soggy soil, temperature stress, nutrients deficiency among others.

How to fix it

Too little light: Position the plant where it will receive bright indirect light or use a grow light if the natural lighting is not adequate.

Inconsistent watering: Water when the top 2-3 inches of soil dry out but never allow the soil ball to dry out completely.

Soggy soil: Use a pot with a drainage hole and well-draining soil. Always discard excess water from the saucer after watering.

Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like AC units, heat sources, windy doors, drafty windows, hot air vents among others.

Nutrients deficiency: Feed the plant with a balanced, liquid fertilizer every 4 weeks in spring and summer.

Plant dying

Grape Ivy is dying due to root-rot disease which is prevalent in soggy soil. It is characterized by rotting, yellowing, browning accompanied by wilting and drooping followed by sudden plant collapse.

How to fix it

1. Carefully, slip the plant out of its pot, wash off the soil from the roots and inspect them.


2. Cut away brown-black, mushy roots and treat the healthy ones with a fungicidal solution.


3. Clean and disinfect the pot with the fungicidal solution and repot the plant in fresh soil. Keep it dry for a few days before beginning the regular watering.


4. In future, ensure that the soil is loose, well-draining and that the pot has a drainage hole.


5. Always allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings.

Pests

Commong pests of Grape Ivy are spider mites, mealybugs and scale insects which are common in dry conditions.

How to fix it

1. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other houseplants and treat it with horticultural oil as indicated by the manufacturer.


2. Regularly check underneath and between the leaves for these pests and carry out timely control measures.


3. Keep the plant well pruned to discourage pest infestation.


4. Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to raise humidity.

Diseases

Grape Ivy Plant is prone to powdery mildew which is promoted by soggy soil. It presents as a whitish, powdery coating on the leaves.

How to fix it

1. Remove the diseased leaves and avoid wetting the remaining leaves.


2. Treat the affected plant with neem oil as per the manufacturer's recommendations.


3. Repot the plant in fresh soil in a new pot which has adequate drainage.


4. Improve air circulation to discourage the disease.

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