How to Grow and Care for Pussy Ears Vine (Cyanotis somaliensis) Indoors

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Pussy Ears Vine (Cyanotis somaliensis) flourishes in bright indirect light, moderate warmth and humidity and moderately moist, rich, well-drained, succulents soils coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.

Cyanotis somaliensis also called Pussy Ears Plant or Kitten Ears Vine is a creeping succulent vine which bears oval-shaped leaves about 2 inches long which are covered with pale gray hairs.

Pussy Ears Plant is ideal for a hanging basket, pedestal or a tall pot where the trailing stems can beautifully cascade downwards. It is one of the beautiful hanging succulents for indoors.

Botanical name: Cyanotis somaliensis
Family: Commelinaceae
Common names: Pussy Ears Vine, Pussy Ears Plant, Kitten Ears Vine

Origin

Cyanotis somaliensis is native to northern Somalia and is closely related to Cyanotis kewensis (Teddy Bear Vine) which is native to South Africa. They are both popular plants for indoor hanging baskets.

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 (Link to Etsy).

Cyanotis somaliensis Care Indoors

Cyanotis somaliensis prospers in bright indirect light (filtered light), moderate warmth of 18-28⁰C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, rich, succulents soils coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.

Pussy Ears Vine care also 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 inches of soil to dry out between waterings to maintain the soil moderately moist.

Reduce watering in 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. Learn more on how to water houseplants the right way.

Light Requirements

Pussy Ears Vine grows best in bright indirect light. Keep it away from direct sunshine to prevent scorching of the leaves.

If the light is not adequate the plant becomes weak and leggy; it grows with wide spaces between the leaf nodes. You may use a grow light if the natural lighting is not adequate. Take a look at these full spectrum grow lights on Amazon.

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 of 18-28⁰C to thrive. Keep it away from cold drafts as too low temperatures can cause leaf drop and reduced growth.

Pussy Ears Plant has no need for high humidity. Moderate air humidity of 50-55% 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.

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.

Fertilizer

Feed Pussy Ears Vine every 4 weeks during the growing period with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer for lush growth. Do not feed in 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, the 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 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.

Learn more on how to propagate Pussy Ears Vine (Cyanotis somaliensis Propagation)

Cyanotis somaliensis Problems with Remedies

Pussy Ears Vine 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 plants and treat it appropriately for the pests with neem oil or insecticidal soap as per the manufacturer's recommendations.

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 Kitten 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 Plant is too little water (underwatering). Water the plant thoroughly during the growing season while allowing the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings to keep the soil moderately moist. Cut down on watering in the cold period and keep the soil slightly moist as growth is less at this time 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 inches 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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