Cissus alata
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Cissus alata and Rhoicissus rhombifolia
- Cissus rhombifolia
- Phonetic Spelling
- SIS-us a-LAY-tuh
- Description
-
Subtropical evergreen perennial vine, climbing by tendrils. Grape Ivy is a favorite indoor houseplant that does well in a hanging basket or a trellis. Allow this plant to dry out between waterings and fertilize 4 times a year during the growing season. Dark green leaves mean there's an adequate fertilizer level. It needs average to cool indoor temperatures and bright, indirect light.
Pests and Diseases: leafspots, mildews, mealybugs, spider mites, scales; leaves fall if too wet or too dry
Quick ID Hints:
- Opposite leaf is a FORKED tendril or is missing
- Leaves are ternately compound
- Leaflets are rhombic-shaped, toothed, shiny
The forked tendril opposite of the 3-parted leaf is key ID for this vine; valued for its shiny, dark-green leaves and tolerance of poor growth conditions; used in hanging baskets, trellised or as interiorscape ground cover.
In interior sites: Tolerant of low relative humidity and medium light; prefers moist soil; rapid growth; subject to root rot/pests.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Ellen Danica'
Leaflets are deeply lobed with a bushy habit. - 'Mandianna'
- 'Ellen Danica'
- 'Ellen Danica', 'Mandianna'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Ellen Danica'
Leaflets are deeply lobed with a bushy habit. - 'Mandianna'
- 'Ellen Danica'
- 'Ellen Danica', 'Mandianna'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Cissus
- Species:
- alata
- Family:
- Vitaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Mexico to Bolivia and Trinidad
- Climbing Method:
- Tendrils
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-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Houseplant
- Vine
- Habit/Form:
- Cascading
- Climbing
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
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-
Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Description:
- A dry berry, purple-black, non-ornamental and rare indoors.
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-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Insignificant
- Flower Description:
- insignificant (3-10) greenish-white, small, seldom seen in cultivation, a compound cyme, axillary.
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-
Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leathery
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Other/more complex
- Leaf Shape:
- Cuneate
- Ovate
- Rhomboidal
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- This plant has leathery, glossy, green, and ovate leaves in a trifoliate pattern that grows up to 8 inches long with toothed margins towards the tips. Silky brown hairs on the undersides. Opposite with one leaf missing or a forked tendril, ternately compound; segments rhombic-ovate, acute, cuneate, remotely sharply dentate, shiny dark green above, red pubescent on veins beneath; petioles rusty pubescent.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Stems yellow with reddish hairs when young.
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-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Hanging Baskets
- Houseplants
