How to Grow and Care for Pussy Ears Vine (Cyanotis somaliensis) Indoors
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Botanical name: Cyanotis somaliensis
Family: Commelinaceae
Common names: Pussy Ears Vine, Kitten Ears Vine
Description
Cyanotis somaliensis also called Pussy Ears Vine or Kitten Ears Vine is a creeping succulent vine which bears oval-shaped leaves about 2 in. long which are covered with pale gray hairs.
Pussy Ears Vine is ideal for a hanging basket, pedestal or a tall pot where the trailing stems can beautifully cascade downwards.
Origin
Cyanotis somaliensis is native to northern Somalia and is closely related to Cyanotis kewensis, (Teddy Bear Vine).
Toxicity
There are no reported cases of Cyanotis somaliensis toxicity to humans and pets. Therefore, it is better to err on the side of caution. Keep the plants out of the reach of children and pets.
Where to Buy
If you would like to acquire Kitten Ears Vine, they are available online on Etsy.
Buy Pussy Ears Vine Online from Etsy Shops
Cyanotis somaliensis Care Indoors
Pussy Ears Vine (Cyanotis somaliensis) flourishes in bright, indirect light, moderate warmth and humidity and moderately moist, rich, well-drained soils coupled with regular feeding during the growing season.
Cyanotis somaliensis requires repotting only when it becomes pot-bound. Pruning is necessary to control and rejuvenate growth. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.
Watering
Water Pussy Ears Vine liberally during the growing period and allow the top 2-3 in. of soil to dry out between waterings to maintain the soil moderately moist.
Reduce watering during the cold period as growth is minimal at this time to keep the soil slightly moist but never allow the soil to dry out completely.
Ascertain that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy soil as it can lead to rotting.
Light Requirements
Pussy Ears Vine grows best in bright, indirect light or use a grow light where the natural lighting is not adequate. Check out these link to Amazon for full spectrum grow lights.
If the light is not adequate the plant becomes weak and leggy; it grows with wide spaces between the leaf nodes.
Rotate the pot regularly to ensure that the Kitten Ears Vine receives light on all sides for uniform growth.
Temperature and Humidity
Cyanotis somaliensis requires an average warmth with a minimum of 130C inorde to thrive. Keep the plant away from cold drafts as too low temperatures can cause leaf drop and reduced growth.
Pussy Ears Vine has no need for high humidity. Moderate air humidity is adequate for this plant.
However, if the indoor temperatures are too high which result in too little humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray to increase humidity. Check out these techniques on how to raise humidity for houseplants.
Potting Mix
Cyanotis somaliensis grows best in loose and free-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. The soil should be loose enough to allow water to drain out fast enough to avoid soggy soil which can cause rotting.
Cactus and Succulents soil is ideal as it drains easily and does not hold excess moisture. Buy quality Cactus and Succulents Soil online from Etsy.
Fertilizer
Feed Pussy Ears Vine every 4 weeks during the growing period with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer for lush growth.
Do not feed during the cold season as growth is reduced at this time thus feeding may cause fertilizer burn and death of the plant.
Pruning
Pussy Ears Vine pruning is easy. To encourage a compact, bushy growth and to prevent Pussy Ears Vine from becoming straggly, regularly pinch off the growing tips.
However, Kitten Ears Vine stems become straggly with age, therefore cutback the stems to rejuvenate new growth.
Repotting
Repot Pussy Ears Vine at the beginning of growing season when the plant becomes pot-bound. A pot one size larger than the current one. Check out these Ceramic Plant Pots with Drainage Holes and Saucer on Amazon.
Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from becoming soggy as it can lead to rotting and eventual death of the Vine.
Propagation
Pussy Ears Vine (Cyanotis somaliensis) can be propagated at the beginning of the growing season by plant division or from stem cuttings.
Cyanotis somaliensis Common Problems
Pussy Ears Vine (Cyanotis somaliensis) problems include browing, brown leaf tips, leggy growth, leaf spots, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems, their remedies and solutions.
Pests
Common pests in Pussy Ears Vine are aphids and spider mites. Isolate the affected the plant to prevent spread to the other houseplants and treat it appropriately for the pests with appropriate products like neem oil or insecticidal soap among others.
Leggy growth and undersized leaves
Pussy Ears Vine's stems become leggy with age. Cutback the stems to rejuvenate new growth. However, there are three more possible reasons for leggy growth and undersized leaves.
One possible reason for leggy growth and undersized leaves in Pussy Ears Vine is too little light.
Move the plant to a brighter spot where it will receive bright, indirect light or use a grow light if the natural lighting is not adequate.
The second possible reason for leggy growth and undersized leaves in Pussy Ears Vine is too little water (underwatering).
Water the Kitten Ears Vine thoroughly during the growing season while allowing the top 2-3 in. of soil to dry out between waterings and never allow the soil to dry out completely.
Cut down on watering in the cold period and keep the soil slightly moist but do not let the soil dry out completely.
The third possible reason for leggy growth and undersized leaves in Pussy Ears Vine is inadequate feeding (underfeeding) which means the plant is not getting adequate nutrients for growth.
If the plant does not get enough nutrients it becomes stunted and produces small-sized leaves and weak stems.
Feed the Kitten Ears Vine with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 4 weeks during the growing season.
However, withhold feeding in the cold season as growth is minimal at this time and feeding can lead to fertlizer burn.
Brown, shrivelled leaf tips
Brown and shrivelled leaf tips in Pussy Ears Vine are an indication of too dry air (low humidity) especially when the temperature is too high. To raise humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier.
Limp stems, yellow and spotted leaves
Limp stems, yellow and spotted leaves in Pussy Ears Vine are caused by underwatering. Underwatering results in too little moisture in the root zone which means that there is little water for the plant to take up to the leaves.
Water the plant immediately and it should recover. Thereafter, water Kitten Ears Vine liberally during the growing period and allow the top 2-3 in. of soil to dry out between waterings to keep the soil moderately moist.
Water less during the cold season to keep the soil slightly moist but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
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