Where to Plant Grape Ivy
Plant grape ivy in an attractive pot or hanging basket, and place it near an east-facing window that provides some shelter from harsh midday and afternoon sunlight. Grape ivy likes to climb, so if you don’t want the plant scaling nearby furniture, use a support trellis to keep it in the bounds of its container.
Grape ivy is hardy in the warmest parts of the country (particularly Zones 10 and 11), and it can be summered outdoors in a spot with dappled shade. If you move it outside for the season, you must return the perennial vine to an indoor location before fall temperatures drop.
How and When to Plant Grape Ivy
Spring is the best time of year to plant grape ivy. Fill a container with good quality, well-draining potting soil, place the grape ivy inside, slightly press the soil around the plant, and water lightly.
Before acquiring a new plant, make sure your environment meets its needs. Not every plant will do well in every location.
Grape Ivy Care Tips
Grape ivy is low-maintenance when its preferred conditions are met.
Light
Grape ivy thrives in locations where it receives bright, indirect light, but it can tolerate a range of light conditions.
Soil and Water
The ideal potting medium for grape ivy is a soil mixture that is well-draining and aerated. You can mix your own soil using peat moss, bark, and perlite or purchase a commercial potting soil for African violets, which is lightweight and porous.
Grape ivy grows best when its soil dries out slightly between waterings. Only water when the soil is dry to the touch, and then water the plant thoroughly, allowing excess water to drain out of the bottom of the pot. If the pot is in a saucer, dump the collected water shortly after watering. Overwatering and excessively moist soil cause grape ivy to drop its leaves. You can reduce watering frequency when plant growth slows in the winter.
Temperature and Humidity
Grape ivy grows well in average humidity and household temperatures between 68°F and 82°F. Temperatures should never drop below 50°F, including at night. If you move your grape ivy outdoors during summer, move it inside when temperatures dip below that mark.
Fertilizer
Grape ivy doesn’t require fertilization, but applying an all-purpose houseplant fertilizer results in faster growth. Fertilize only in the summer when the plant is actively growing, following the label directions.
Pruning
Regularly pinch off some of the growing tips to promote bushy growth in your grape ivy. Additionally, pinch off the vines at the desired length to keep them from growing too long.
Grape ivy can become bare and unsightly. If this happens to your plant, cut back the stems at the soil level. An established houseplant will quickly regrow new stems.
Potting and Repotting
Plant grape ivy in a pot about double the size of its root system. This size allows the plant to grow undisturbed for a couple of years. Choose a pot with large drainage holes and enough depth to accommodate the base of a trellis if you plan to encourage upright growth. When trellising grape ivy, a heavier pot, such as terra-cotta, is ideal as it is less likely to topple over from top weight.
Grape ivy is a moderately fast grower that should not require repotting more than every two years. When the time comes, repot the plant in a larger container during spring using fresh potting mix.
Pests and Problems
Grape ivy is susceptible to various houseplant pests, including scale insects, spider mites, and mealybugs. Treat infestations with horticultural oil, neem oil, or insecticidal soap.
How to Propagate Grape Ivy
Like many houseplants, grape ivy is easily propagated from cuttings during spring. Take a cutting with two to three leaf nodes below the terminal growth bud and dip the cut end in rooting hormone powder. Insert the cutting in a small pot filled with a damp potting mix. Station the container in a warm place away from direct sunlight and water it regularly. When you see new growth, the grape ivy has rooted. Once it has grown into a vigorous small plant, it’s safe to repot the vine in a larger container.
Types of Grape Ivy
Begonia Grape Ivy
The defining characteristic of begonia grape ivy is silver-splashed foliage with maroon undersides. The cultivar requires warmer temperatures and higher humidity than other grape ivy types, which makes it more challenging to grow.
Oakleaf Grape Ivy
Oakleaf grape ivy grows well in a hanging basket or trained to a moss pole. It makes an excellent plant for the office or home.
‘Ellen Danica’ Grape Ivy
Cissus rhombifolia ‘Ellen Danica’ is a variety of oakleaf grape ivy. It has larger leaves than most grape ivy types, giving it a bolder presence.
‘Mandiana’ Grape Ivy
Cissus rhombifolia ‘Mandiana’ grows more upright than most grape ivy varieties, which makes it a great cultivar for growing on a trellis.
Wax Grape Ivy
Wax grape ivy, with fleshy, waxy, rounded green leaves, is more succulent than other grape ivy types. As such, it grows slower and doesn’t need as much water. The cultivar maintains a rounded tabletop form with just a little pruning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is grape ivy a sun-loving or shade-loving plant?
Grape ivy likes bright, indirect light. Direct sunlight should be limited to short periods of exposure, as it can cause the vine’s leaves to scorch. The plant is happiest in dappled sunlight and partial shade, making it a great addition to container shade gardens.
Does grape ivy like humidity?
Grape ivy prefers a moderate level of humidity. The vine’s leaf tips can turn brown if the air is too dry, such as in a heated room without a humidifier. Conversely, grape ivy’s leaves can drop if the plant is too wet.
Is grape ivy hardy?
Grape ivy is hardy in the warmest regions of the country. The hardiest variety of grape ivy is Cissus trifoliata, more commonly called marine vine. The plant is native to the southeastern United States and Mexico. In Zones 6-10, marine vine climbs over rocks, trees, and shrubs, blooming tiny flowers in mid-summer. The flowers give way to berries toward the end of the season into fall.
