How to Care for Grape Ivy

If you have a black thumb, grape ivy is the plant for you. It’s easy to grow and can go for a few days without watering. This vine adds a touch of the tropics to any space. It looks beautiful in hanging baskets and urns where it will cascade over the side. For a bright vertical accent, you can also let it grow upright on a trellis. Count on this hardworking houseplant to thrive for years.

Where to Plant Grape Ivy

Plant grape ivy in an attractive pot or hanging basket and place it ideally by east-facing window where it is shielded from the harsh midday or afternoon sun. Provide the plant with a support trellis if growing in a pot or be prepared for it to climb elsewhere such as on a bookcase or around a lamp. Hardy to the warmest parts of the country (zones 10 and 11), the plant can be summered in a spot with dappled shade outdoors in cooler climates but must be returned to an indoor location before fall temperatures begin to drop.

How and When to Plant Grape Ivy

The best time of year to plant grape ivy is in the spring. Fill the container with good quality, well-draining potting soil (a mix formulated for African violets is ideal), place the plant in the container, press the soil slightly around the plant and water lightly.

Grape Ivy Care Tips

 Light

Grape ivy should be placed in a location where it gets medium to bright light.

Soil and Water

For the potting medium, use a soil mixture that is well-draining and aerated. You can either mix your own from peat moss, bark, and perlite, or use commercial potting soil for African violets, which is very 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, then water the plant thoroughly, allowing excess water to drain out of the bottom of the pot. If your pot is in a saucer, dump the collected water shortly after watering. Overwatering or excessively moist soil causes grape ivy to drop its leaves.

In the winter, when plant growth slows down, you can cut back on watering.

Temperature and Humidity

The plant grows well in average household temperatures between 68 and 82 degrees F and average humidity. Don't hesitate to move it outside during the summer but make sure temperatures are above 50 degrees F, including at night. Move it inside in the fall when temperatures dip below that mark.

Fertilizer

Grape ivy doesn't require fertilization, but you will get faster growth with the application of an all-purpose houseplant fertilizer per label directions. Fertilize only in the summer when the plant is actively growing, not in the winter.

Pruning

To keep your grape ivy bushy, you can regularly pinch off some of the growing tips. Also, to keep vines from growing too long, you can pinch them off at the desired length. A more severe rejuvenation pruning is to cut back stems at the soil level when they have become bare and unsightly. An established houseplant will quickly regrow new stems.

Potting and Repotting Grape Ivy

To start with, plant grape ivy in a pot with large drainage holes that is about double the size of the actual root system so the plant can grow undisturbed for a couple of years. If you are planning to trellis the plant, make sure that the pot is deep enough to accommodate the base of the trellis. When trellising grape ivy, a heavier pot, such as terra-cotta, works better as it is less likely to topple over.

Grape ivy is a moderately fast grower that should not require repotting more than every two years. Repot it in the spring in a larger pot and use fresh potting mix.

Pests and Problems 

Grape ivy is susceptible to various houseplant pests, including scale insects, spider mites, and mealybugs, which can usually be treated with horticultural oil, neem oil, or insecticidal soap.

How to Propagate Grape Ivy

Like many other houseplants, grape ivy is easy to propagate from cuttings. In the spring, take cuttings with two to three leaf nodes below the terminal growth bud. Dip the cut end in rooting hormone powder and insert the cutting in a small pot filled with damp potting mix. Keep it in a warm place but away from direct sunlight and water it regularly. When you see new growth, it has rooted. Wait for it to grow into a vigorous small plant before repotting it to a larger pot.

Types of Grape Ivy

Begonia Grape Ivy

Cissus discolor dazzles with its silver splashed foliage with maroon undersides. It requires warmer temperatures and higher humidity than grape ivy, so it is more challenging to grow.

Oakleaf Grape Ivy

Cissus rhombifolia 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, giving it a bold presence.

'Mandiana' Grape Ivy

This Cissus rhombifolia cultivar of grape ivy grows more upright than most varieties. This is a great cultivar for growing on a trellis.

Wax Grape Ivy

Cissus rotundifolia, with fleshy, waxy, rounded green leaves is more succulent than other members of the family. That means it needs less water. It also is a slower grower, maintaining a rounded tabletop form with just a little pruning.