Grape Ivy is easy to grow and use in your décor. See how many ways you can design with it!
In a restaurant Grape ivy hangs like a leafy green waterfall that never touches the ground. A plant hanger firmly attached to the ceiling disappears into the graceful but exuberant leaves to keep a little order to this cascade.
Similar hanging plants add calm to the restaurant‘s atmosphere. It’s a place for peace and quiet and good friends and family and good food.
I know I want to sit near this silent but rambunctious looking plant cascade.
A forest experience at dinner. Why not have this at home? Maybe I could grow one there.
Grape ivy or Cissus alata is a tropical plant adapted for indoor use. Keep it inside all year or bring it outside during summer in a hanging pot.
Train it to climb a trellis placed inside a standing pot on your porch. There are other ways to use it too!
Features
Native to: Tropical Americas
Name refers to: The Old English word for ivy is ifig.
Zones: 10-12
Leaves: One stem produces a dark green, three lobed leaf which has deep ragged cuts on its edges.
Blooms: Rare for indoor plants – a tiny cluster of pale green flowers with four petals may later produce dark purple to black berries.
Tendrils: The tendrils curl and grasp whatever is at hand to support the vine.
Keep an eye on the small hair – like tendrils. Like tiny fingers they wrap around and hold tight.
They’ll grasp at anything nearby including lamps, other plants and window blinds!
Height: 6-10 feet
Width: 3-6 feet
Grows from: Make new plants by rooting the stem cuttings.
Indoor Care
- Sunlight: Bright, indirect sunshine.
- Soil: Standard potting mix.
- Water: Thoroughly water then let the soil dry. Too much or too little water causes leaves to get dry and crunchy.
Test for dryness of the soil in the pot once a week.
- Fertilize: In spring and summer use standard organic fertilizer following package instructions.
Problems/Pests
White fly, mealybug, spider mites – keeping a regular routine of watering and fertilizing and pinching back should prevent problems.
Uses
As an easy to grow indoor plant grape ivy has many uses. Here are some ideas to try:
Hanging
Let the new growth hang below the pot making sure it doesn’t wander into and grab onto your other plants or special décor.
Wind new growth up a plant hanger then let it trail down from the top. Makes a good hanging screen for porches too.
Trailing
Place your grape ivy on an old piece of furniture and watch it spread out. Let it hang over the ledge of a bookcase, cupboard or open shelf.
The tendrils may damage the finish which is why an old piece that you don’t care about is recommended.
Climbing
Anything that works as a trellis – a room dividing screen, a pole or a small outdoor trellis brought inside works.
Anchor the pole or trellis at the base, inside of a large pot.
You can gently tie the vines onto the frame you choose with florist tape, pipe cleaners or strips of old rags.
The tendrils will grasp onto the frame and you can remove the ties or leave on for extra support. Eventually the plant forms a screen.
Train it on a topiary form using the same method as above, creating an eye catching piece.
Short and Bushy
If you don’t want trailing or climbing stems, keep the vines short. You’ll have a more compact and lush looking plant this way.
Root the cuttings in water to make new plants to keep or share.
Hanging, trailing, climbing or short and bushy this plant gives you options for your designs. Since it’s easy to grow, Grape ivy keeps the fun in your decorative plans.
References
North Carolina State Extension
Copyright Juli Seyfried 2020
