How to grow and care for Polynesian Ivy Vine (Pellionia repens) Indoors

Some links in this post may be affiliate links

Polynesian Ivy Vine Care, Pellionia repens Care

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

Polynesian Ivy Vine Description

Polynesian Ivy Vine also called Watermelon Pellionia is a low growing houseplant that is suitable for the terrarium, bottle garden or a hanging basket plant.

The Polynesian Ivy Vine bears a pale central band on each leaf where the outer margin may be olive or bronzy green.

Polynesian Ivy Vine Origin

Polynesian Ivy Vine is native to South East Asia in Burma, Malaysia and Vietnam.

Polynesian Ivy Vine Related Plants

Another variety of Pellionia that is grown indoors is Pellionia pulchra commonly called Satin Pellionia which has very dark veins on the upper surface and is purple on the undersides.

Polynesian Ivy Vine Care, Pellionia repens Care

Photo Credit: Carousell

Polynesian Ivy Vine (Pellionia repens) Care Indoors

Polynesian Ivy Vine Light Requirements

Polynesian Ivy Vine grows best in bright light or semi-shade and away from direct sunlight. Check out this guide on understanding light for houseplants.

How to water Polynesian Ivy Vine

Water Polynesian Ivy Vine liberally during the growing season and keep the soil moist at all times. Reduce watering during the cold season to keep the soil slightly moist. Read more on how to water houseplants.

Ensure that the soil for your Polynesian Ivy Vine is free-draining and the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot disease and eventual death of your plant.

Temperature for Polynesian Ivy Vine

The best temperature for Polynesian Ivy Vine is average warmth with a minimum of 15⁰C.

Protect your Polynesian Ivy Vine from cold draughts as they can cause leaf drop. Check out this guide on understanding temperature for houseplants.

Humidity for Polynesian Ivy Vine

Polynesian Ivy Vine prefers a humid environment inorder to thrive. Raise humidity for your Polynesian Ivy Vine by setting the pot on a wet pebble tray. Check out these techniques on how to raise humidity for houseplants.

Polynesian Ivy Vine can also be grown in a plant terraium as a high humidity can be maintainted in a terrarium. Read more on how to make a terrarium for houseplants.

Fertilizer (Feeding) for Polynesian Ivy Vine

Feed Polynesian Ivy Vine with a balanced water-soluble fertilizer every 4 weeks during the growing period.

Withhold feeding your Polynesian Ivy Vine during the cold season as growth is minimal and feeding at this time may cause fertilizer burn. Read more on how to feed houseplants.

How to repot Polynesian Ivy Vine

Repot Polynesian Ivy Vine during the growing season only when the plant has become pot-bound as it grows best when pot-bound.

Use a rich, free-draining soil and a pot one size larger for your Polynesian Ivy Vine.

Ensure the pot has a drainage hole to avoid getting soggy soil as it can lead to root-rot disease and eventual loss of your plant.

How to prune Polynesian Ivy Vine

Pruning Polynesian Ivy Vine involves; pinching any flower buds 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 your Polynesian Ivy Vine neat and tidy.

Pinch off the growing tips of your Polynesian Ivy Vine to encourage bushyness and prevent the plant from becoming leggy. Read more on how to prune houseplants.

Polynesian Ivy Vine (Pellionia repens) Propagation

Polynesian Ivy Vine propagation can be done at the beginning of the growing season from stem-tip cuttings or by plant division. Stem cuttings root easily and there is no need for a rooting hormone.

How to propagate Polynesian Ivy Vine from stem-tip cuttings

Take stem-tip cuttings of about 4-5 in. length from a healthy Polynesian Ivy Vine.

Ensure each Polynesian Ivy Vine cutting has at least one set of leaves and 2-3 leaf nodes.

Insert the Polynesian Ivy Vine cuttings in moist rooting soil. Ensure the soil is free-draining and the rooting container has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to rotting.

Place the set up in warm shaded place and maintain the soil moist until new growth emerges and substantial growth has been observed on the Polynesian Ivy Vine cuttings.

Transfer the new Polynesian Ivy Vines to individual pots and begin routine care. For a fuller plant, plant several cuttings in one pot.

How to propagate Polynesian Ivy Vine by plant division

Take out your Polynesian Ivy Vine from its pot and carefully divide it into several sections.

Pot these Polynesian Ivy Vine sections in individual pots and place the set up in a cool, shaded place.

Maintain the soil moist until new growth emerges. Allow the new Polynesian Ivy Vine plants to be well established before transplanting.

Photo Credit: Carousell

Polynesian Ivy Vine (Pellionia repens) Problems Indoors

Why does my Polynesian Ivy Vine have brown leaf tips and edges?

Brown leaf tips and edges in your Polynesian Ivy Vine are caused by dry air.

Raise the humidity for your Polynesian Ivy Vine by setting the pot on a wet pebble tray. Check out these techniques on how to raise humidity for houseplants.

Polynesian Ivy Vine can also be grown in a plant terraium where a high humidity can be maintainted. Read more on how to make a terrarium for houseplants.

Why does my Polynesian Ivy Vine have brown, wilting leaves?

Underwatering your Polynesian Ivy Vine is the cause of brown, wilting leaves.

Maintain the soil moist at all times for your Polynesian Ivy Vine and never allow the soil to dry out completely. Read more on how to water houseplants.

Why is my Polynesian Ivy Vine losing (shedding) leaves?

Loss of leaves in your Polynesian Ivy is due to sudden drop in temperature due to cold draughts.

Protect your Polynesian Ivy Vine from cold draughts to prevent sudden drop in temperature. Maintain an average temperature for your vine. Check out this guide on understanding temperature for houseplants.