Cissus

( SISS - uss )

At-A-Glance Information

These evergreen vines vary greatly in water and exposure needs and are relatives of Grape vines. They are commonly called Grape Ivy, and are grown mainly for their foliage; the flowers that they produce are inconspicuous. Most are great as either climbing vines or as groundcover, and are easy to grow. Take care when planting these vines in the landscape or keeping them indoors, as certain species can be toxic to humans and pets if ingested. Species can also have sap that causes skin irritation.

Cissus Species and Varietals

The genus Cissus includes 350 species of woody vines and is a member of the plant family Vitaceae. The genus name is derived from the Greek word kissos, which means 'ivy'. Growing zones for Cissus vary depending on the species. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Cissus alata (Grape Ivy, Grape Leaf Ivy, Oak Leaf Ivy, Venezuela Treebine)
These flowering vines are native to the tropical Americas, and can reach up to between 10 and 16 feet tall (or long) at maturity. Leaves are trifoliate, oak-shaped and dark green. Hardy to 47 degrees Fahrenheit, growing well in USDA hardiness zones 10-12. This species makes a great houseplant. This species is considered invasive in some regions of Mexico.

Cissus anisophylla
This species is native to Panama, Colombia, Chiapas, Brazil, Peru, Costa Rica, and Ecuador, and grows well in USDA hardiness zones 10a-12b. It is a climbing, scrambling vine that commonly grows over and on other plants. Insignificant flowers are green, and stems are round and hairless.

Cissus antarctica (Cissus oblongata) (Kangaroo Treebine, Kangaroo Vine, Treebine)
This species, native to Australia, is best in USDA hardiness zones 10a-12b or Sunset growing zones 16-24, but can also be grown indoors as a houseplant or greenhouse specimen. It is a fantastic choice for California gardens. Foliage is dense and glossy, with serrated margins. It needs little to no irrigation when grown in the ground, so it makes a great water-wise plant for the garden. Perfect for climbing and covering large areas of ground. these vines will do well in sun or shade.

Cissus cornifolia (Ivy Grape, Wild Grape, Splanch, Riigarbirri, Chituzi, Mutunila)
These plants form woody vining shrubs and are native to sub-Saharan Africa, Tropical Africa and down to South Africa. They grow from a tuber root, and produce branches with swollen nodes. Plants typically reach about 10 feet tall, and sometimes produce tendrils. Powdered plant parts are used as a sedative in traditional medicine, and the fruits are eaten and used for flavoring various dishes in the plant's native range.

Cissus discolor (Cissus javana) (Rex Begonia Vine, Tapestry Vine, Painted Cissus)
These vines are native to China, Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Mainland Southeast Asia, Java, the Lesser Sunda Islands, and the Philippines. They do well in USDA hardiness zones 10 and 11. These vines can reach up to 8 feet long, but are typically seen with stems around 1 foot in length. Leaves of these plants are edible, and can be eaten raw or cooked; they are sour. Rex Begonia Vine does well in hanging baskets or in pots, and needs to be grown indoors in most areas.

Cissus hypoglauca (Jungle Grape, Water Vine, Giant Water Vine, Five-Leaf Water Vine, Jungle Vine, Native Grapes, Billangai)
This species is also native to Australia, and grows best in USDA hardiness zones 9-11 or Sunset growing zones 13-24. Gets to 15 feet or more in one year, eventually reaching 30-50 feet in length. Climbs via flexible stems with bronze-tinted leaves. Newer growth has rust-colored fuzz. Great for banks where erosion control is needed, and also does well as a climbing vine. Provide full sun to light shade conditions and little to no water.

Cissus oblonga (Native Grape, Smooth Water Vine, Water Vine)
This species is native to Queensland, Australia, where it grows in dry rainforested areas. Leaves are glossy and green, and fruits are round and black. This species can form a vine that ends up being quite large.

Cissus quadrangularis (Veldt Grape, Winged Treebine, Adamant Creeper)
This interesting species is native to Asia, the Arabian Peninsula, and much of Africa and grows well in USDA hardiness zones 10-12. These plants reach about 5 feet tall and produces leaves at nodes along sprawling stems. Flowers are small and white, yellow or greenish. They are followed by berries which ripen to red. Prefers moist soil but can tolerate drought, and needs to be planted in full sun for best performance. This species is considered invasive in Senegal, Madagascar, and Hawai'i.

Cissus repens (Creeping Treebine, Malayan Wild Vine, Carik Merah, Lakum, Pokok Riang Hutan, Ivy of Paraguay, Bai Fen Teng)
This woody vine species, native to tropical rainforest areas in Asia, has heart-shaped leaves and a creeping habit. Foliage is green, and papery to leathery-textured. Creeping Treebine can reach up to 33 feet long at maturity in the right environment. Flowers are small and yellow. These plants grow well on trellises, doing well in USDA hardiness zones 9-11. This species is considered invasive in Hawai'i and the Philippines.

Cissus rotundifolia (Arabian Wax Leaf, Peruvian Grape Ivy, Venezuelan Treebine, Succulent Grape)
This fast-growing evergreen vine is native to east Africa and the Middle East, and is commonly used in traditional medicine in its native range. Elsewhere, it is grown as an indoor houseplant. Leaves are oval and medium green and trailing stems reach up to 6 feet long. These vines prefer temperatures of between 50 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit. This species grows well in USDA hardiness zones 10a-11. It is considered invasive in Kauai, Hawai'i, the Seychelles, and Kenya.

Cissus rhombifolia (Cissus alata) (Grape Ivy, Oak Leaf Ivy, Oak Ivy, Venezuelan Treebine)
Grows best in USDA hardiness zones 10-11 or Sunset growing zones 13, 15, 16, 21-24, H1 and H2. It is native to South America and has dark green leaves, veined with red on the undersides. This species is popular as a houseplant, where it can tolerate low-light conditions well. Outdoors, it can reach 20 feet and can be trained on trellises or fences. Can tolerate full sun to deep shade and needs moderate water. Varieties include 'Mandaiana' (with larger leaflets, but a more tight and upright growth) and 'Ellen Danica' (with lobed leaflets on a plant that is smaller than the species).

Cissus striata (Miniature Grape Ivy, Ivy of Uruguay, Sugar Vine)
These vines grow well in USDA hardiness zones 8a-11 or Sunset growing zones 13-24; native to Chile. Reaches 20 feet long, and has small leathery leaves. Stems are reddish. Can be trained as an espalier, and is great for spilling over walls. Can also be used as a handsome groundcover plant. Can take sun or shade conditions, and needs moderate water.

Cissus subaphylla
This low-growing shrub is endemic to the Yemeni island of Socotra. They grow in dry areas, and have succulent, flattened grey-green stems. Leaves are very small, as are the flowers. These interesting plants do well when grown in USDA hardiness zones 9a-11b or indoors as houseplants.

Cissus tiliacea (Cissus tuberosa) (Tuberous Grape)
This interesting species is native to Puebla, Mexico and produces a basal gray-green stem from which vines emerge that can reach up to 15 feet long. These vines die back to their attachments to the main stem during periods of drought. Damaged by frost at 28 degrees Fahrenheit; grows well in USDA hardiness zones 10a-12b. These are commonly grown indoors and can serve as bonsai specimens. This species is considered invasive in some regions, including Alabama in the United States.

Cissus trifoliata (Grape Ivy, Possum-Grape, Sorrel Vine, Marine-Ivy, Cow-Itch Vine, Hierba del Buey)
This species of Cissus grows best in USDA hardiness zones 5b-10 or Sunset growing zones 10-13 and is evergreen in warmer locations. Native to the Southern United States and Mexico. Reaches 30 feet climbing by tendrils or sprawling on the ground. Leaves are smooth and dark green, and flowering stalks are reddish. Black berries follow flowers and contrast well against the red stalks. Contact with plant can cause skin rash in allergic persons. Needs full sun and little to moderate amounts of water.

Cissus verticillata (Princess Vine, Seasonvine, Hop of Michoacan, Curtain Ivy, Millionaire's Vine, Pudding White, Waterwithe Treebine)
This species is a large vine, with stems that reach up to 30 feet long and often scramble over low vegetation, though they can also climb tall structures. Flowers are small and cream to white, and fruit is black. These vines grow well in USDA hardiness zones 10a-12b, and are considered invasive in Mexico, Hawai'i, Texas, and Florida.

Caring for Cissus

These popular ornamental vining plants can be grown either indoors or outdoors in the landscape. Outdoor plants tend to get much larger than those grown indoors, and will need a good amount of support from a trellis, arbor, or other structure. Plant these vines in dappled to partial shade; ideally, they should never be in direct sunlight (unless it is in the early morning or evening hours). If growing these vines in a temperate or cool climate, make sure to place Cissus vines in a protected area that will not experience wide jumps in temperature or cool, drying winds. These vines prefer temperatures stay between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and anything less will cause leaf drop and dormancy. They can be moved indoors during the cooler months of the year, but really do not do well with environmental changes. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 6.0 and 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention.

Water new plantings regularly as they establish themselves in the landscape. At maturity, keep soil consistently moist throughout the active growing season. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top inch or two of soil feels dry to the touch. Irrigation can be lessened in wintertime. Winter protection can also be provided by using frost cloth to cover foliage when temperatures drop too low, especially for younger plants or new transplants. Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. To prune, trim back leggy stems, remove yellow or dead leaves, and pinch growing tips in the beginning of the growing season to encourage a bushier habit to form. Pruning is best done on these vines in spring or early summertime. These vines are considered long-lived perennials, and can persist in the landscape for over 25 years if cared for properly before needing to be replaced.

Caring for Cissus in Containers
Cissus vines are wonderful in the ground outdoors, but can also be grown in containers. Choose a container that is at least a few inches wider and deeper than the nursery pot or root ball. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow for excess water to flow away. Fill with a well-draining potting mix amended with organic material and perlite, and top with a layer of mulch to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water regularly as the plant establishes itself in its new home. Once established, waterings can be lessened. Cissus vines grown in containers will need more frequent irrigation than those grown in the ground. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Prune to remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time during the growing season. Every few years, check the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not outgrowing its root space. If roots are growing through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, it is a good indication that it needs to be potted up; choose a slightly larger container and repot.

Caring for Cissus Indoors
Although many species of Cissus are grown outdoors, there are some that are cultivated as indoor plants. Plant your indoor Cissus in a container with adequate drainage holes in a loose, well-draining potting mix that also holds some moisture. Standard houseplant mix works well. Place the container in a spot in the home that receives bright, indirect light. Also, make sure that it is placed in a spot that is not going to get drafty (including close to air vents); leaves will turn brown and die in these situations. Water when the soil surface has begun to dry out, and make sure to empty catch trays or decorative outer pots to avoid standing water around the roots. These plants prefer temperatures that range between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and a high-humidity environment. Every few years, check the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not outgrowing its root space. If roots are growing through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, it is a good indication that it needs to be potted up; choose a slightly larger container and repot.

Propagation

The best way to propagate Cissus vines is through stem cuttings. Though these vines do produce seeds, it is a bit difficult to get them to germinate, and since propagating via cutting is such a simple and straightforward method, it is preferred by most gardeners. To propagate your Cissus vine using stem cuttings, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Cissus by Cutting

Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. A good substrate for propagation of cuttings is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
In spring or early summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new shrub.

Problems and Pests

Some species of Cissus vines are considered invasive in certain regions around the globe; check the species descriptions above for more information. Check with local authorities before planting. Cissus vines are susceptible to developing issues with the following pests and diseases in the home garden: