Polynesian Ivy Vine (Pellionia repens) Care Indoors; Watering, Light, Propagation, Problems

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Pellionia repens also called Polynesian Ivy Vine, Trailing Watermelon Begonia or Rainbow Vine is a trailing plant which bears a pale central band on each leaf where the outer margin may be olive or bronzy green.

Polynesian Ivy Vine is ideal for the terrarium, bottle garden or a hanging basket where it can beautifully display the spectacular foliage.

Botanical name: Pellionia repens
Family: Urticaceae
Common names: Polynesian Ivy Vine, Pellionia repens Watermelon, Trailing Watermelon Begonia

Origin

Pellionia repens is native to South East Asia in Burma, Malaysia and Vietnam.

Is Polynesian Ivy Vine pet-friendly?

Polynesian Ivy Vine is non-toxic to humans and pets. It is safe to grow indoors.

Related Plants

One other variety of Pellionia that is ideal for indoors is Pellionia pulchra (Satin Pellionia) which has very dark veins on the upper surface and is purple on the undersides.

Where to Buy

If you would like to acquire beautiful Pellionia Plants, you may obtain them online from Etsy (Link to Etsy).

How to Care for Polynesian Ivy Vine Plant Indoors

To care for Polynesian Ivy Vine indoors, provide medium to bright indirect light, warmth of 18-24⁰C, humidity of 60-70% and consistently moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.

Pellionia repens requires regular pruning to keep the plant neat, to encourage a bushy growth as well as get rid of the insignifacant flowers to redirect energy to growth. Repotting is only needed when the plant becomes extremely pot-bound. Keep reading for more on the best growing conditions and how to achieve them.

Watering

Water Polynesian Ivy Vine liberally in spring and summer and keep the soil moist at all times. Take care not to overwater as it can result in mushy stems, drooping and yellowing of leaves, and leaf drop.

Decrease watering in fall and winter to keep the soil slightly moist since growth is reduced. On no occassion should you allow the soil to dry out to avoid wilting, drooping, yellowing and crispy leaf edges. Pellionia repens Vine loves even moisture, so check the soil every 2-3 days to maintain balance.

Use room temperature to prevent cold shock which can result in stunted growth and leaf loss. Water with chlorine-free water like rain water to prevent browning of leaf edges.

Confirm that the soil is well-drained and the pot has a drainage hole to prevent sogginess as it can lead to root-rot and death of the plant. Avoid wetting the foliage to minimize fungal diseases.

Light Requirements

Polynesian Ivy Vine grows best in medium to bright indirect light; position it near a bright, sunless window. Keep it away from direct sunlight to avoid fading colors and scorching of the leaves.

If the leaves appear dull or the plant becomes leggy, move the plant to more light or use a grow light if the natural light is not adequate.

Rotate the pot regularly to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for uniform growth and prevent leggy growth.

Temperature & Humidity

Polynesian Ivy Vine thrives in a warmth of 18-24⁰C. Keep it away from drafts as they can cause retarded growth, wilting, drooping, yellowing and leaf drop.

Being native to tropical rainforests, Pellionia repens loves high humidity and will struggle in dry indoor air. A humidity of 60-70% is ideal for this plant. Too dry air will result in leaf curl, brown edges, and slow growth. To upscale humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray, group the plants together or use a cool mist humidifier.

You may also grow the plant in a closed terrarium or in a well-lit bathroom, kitchen, laundry area and other moist areas with constantly high humidity.

Fertilizer

Feed Polynesian Ivy Vine with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 4 weeks in spring and summer to boost growth. Avoid over-fertilizing as it can cause weak, leggy growth.

Do not feed in fall and winter as growth is minimal and feeding at this time may cause fertilizer burn which is characterized by brown burnt leaf edges.

Potting Soil

The best potting soil for Pellionia repens should be light, airy, and moisture-retaining soil. A blend of 1 part peat moss or coconut coir (retains moisture), 1 part perlite or orchid bark (improves drainage) and 1 part organic potting mix (for nutrients) is great for this plant.

Repotting

Repot Polynesian Ivy Vine during the growing season, only when extremely pot-bound; it grows best when its roots are confined. Use a pot one size larger that has a drainage hole to avoid sogginess which can lead to rotting.

Pellionia repens is spectacular in a hanging basket where the the stems can cascade downwards beautifully. Check out these hanging planters with macrame hangers on Amazon.

Pruning

Pruning Pellionia repens involves pinching any flower buds as soon as they appear. The flowers require a lot of nourishment from the plant which may affect its proper growth.

Remove any dead foliage frequently to keep the vine neat and tidy. Pinch off the growing tips to encourage bushyness and prevent legginess.

Pellionia repens Propagation

Polynesian Ivy Vine propagation is done at the beginning of the growing season from stem cuttings or by plant division.

(A) Pellionia repens propagation from stem cuttings

The stem cuttings root easily and there is no need for a rooting hormone. You may root the cuttings either in water or in soil.

Propagating Pellionia repens from stem cuttings in soil

1. Take stem cuttings of about 4-5 inches length from a healthy plant. Ensure each cutting has at least one set of leaves and 2-3 leaf nodes. Strip off the lower leaves.


2. Select a rooting container that has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy to avoid rotting.


3. Fill the rooting container with well-draining rooting soil and moisten it slightly.


4. Insert 2-3 inches of the cuttings in the moist, free-draining soil.


5. Place the set up in warm, brightly-lit place away from direct sunlight.


6. Maintain the soil moist until new growth emerges and substantial growth is observed.


7. Transfer the new plants to individual pots and begin routine care. For a fuller plant, transplant several cuttings into one pot.

(B) Pellionia repens propagation by plant division

Plant division is a faster and succesful way of multiplying plants. This method of propagation is best for large plants which may have outgrown their pots.

Propagating Pellionia repens by plant division

1. Water the plant thoroughly at least one day before to make it easier to divide and also hasten establishment.


2. Remove the plant from its pot and scrape or shake off excess soil.


3. Carefully divide the plant into several sections. Ascertain that each sections has adequate roots.


4. Select a 6 or 8 inches pot which has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy to avoid rotting.


5. Fill the pot with free-draining soil and make a hole in the center of the pot. Make sure that the hole is slightly wider than the root base of the section.


6. Place the section in the previously made hole and lightly firm the soil around the base. Take care not to bury it too deep; keep it at the same soil level as it was in the previous pot.


7. Water the soil thoroughly and maintain it moist through out.


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


9. Allow the new plant to be well established after which you can begin routine care.

Pellionia repens Problems & Remedies

Polynesian Ivy Vine problems are leaf drop, wilting, brown leaf tips, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and their solutions.

Leaf drop

Leaf drop off Polynesian Ivy is caused by too little light, temperature stress, inconsistent watering, soggy soil, dry air or aging.

How to fix it

Too little light: Place the plant in medium to bright indirect light or use a grow light if the natural lighting is not adequate.

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

Inconsistent watering: Do not water on a schedule; water only when the top 1-2 inches of the soil feel dry.

Soggy soil: Use a free-draining soil and a pot that has a drainage hole.

Dry air: To increase humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a cool mist humidifier or group the plants together.

Aging: It is natural for the old leaves to turn yellow and drop as the plant matures.

Wilting leaves

Wilting leaves on Pellionia repens are caused by inconsistent watering or temperature stress.

How to fix it

Inconsistent watering: Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil dry out and do not allow the soil to dry out completely.

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

Brown leaf tips and edges

Brown leaf tips and edges on Polynesian Ivy Vine are caused by dry air. To upscale humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier. You may also grow the plant in a closed terrarium or in a well-lit bathroom, kitchen and other moist areas in the home.

Pests

Common pests on Pellionia repens are aphids, scale insects, whiteflies and mealybugs which are common in dry conditions.

How to fix it

1. Seperate the infested plant to minimize spread to other plants.


2. Treat the infested plant with neem oil or insecticidal soap as per the manufacturers' instructions.


3. Maintain the plant well pruned to reduce the pests.


4. Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or group the plants together to elevate humidity to depress the pests infestations.

Brown-grey dust on the leaves

Polynesian Ivy Vine is prone to powdery mildew which is prevalent in a warm humid environment. It presents as brown-grey dust on the leaves.

How to fix it

Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to the other plants and treat it with an insecticidal soap or neem oil as recommended by the manufacturers.

Ensure that there is good air circulation for the plant.

Caring for Polynesian Ivy (Summary)

• Lignt: Medium to bright indirect light


• Water: Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy


• Humidity: High humidity (above 60%)


• Temperature: Average warmth (18-24⁰C)


• Feeding: Monthly with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer


• Soil: Light, airy, and moisture-retaining soil


• Pruning: Remove dead leaves and flowers, pinch off growing tips, cutback leggy stems


• Repotting: When extremely pot-bound


• Propagation: Stem cuttings, plant division

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