Family: Vitaceae

This large genus comprises around 350 species. Mainly climbers and vines, they are native to tropical and warm areas throughout the world. Many of the tropical species have edible leaves and berries, with a history of use in folk medicine. Grown principally for their handsome foliage, several species are used indoors as potted plants or in hanging baskets. Some are used as groundcover in mild climates.

Species

C. antarctica, kangaroo vine, from Australia's Queensland and New South Wales, is one of the most commonly cultivated species. A climber often used as a groundcover, it has almost oval, bright green leaves with toothed margins, insignificant flowers and round, blackish purple fruits measuring about 1 cm (½ in) in diameter.

C. discolor, begonia treevine, from Indonesia, is generally grown indoors for its attractive foliage. The large, velvety leaves are metallic green, with white, purple and pink markings on the top and deep crimson below. This species is very cold-sensitive and needs winter warmth and humidity.

C. hypoglauca, water vine, is a vigorous, woody vine, native to parts of eastern Australia. It produces a canopy of blueish gray leaves, each consisting of five leaflets. The young leaves and shoots are rusty green and small, the yellow flowers measure 4 mm (¼ in) across, and the large, purplish black fruits are edible, but sour.

C. quadrangularis, from eastern Africa, southern Asia and Malaysia, is a tendril climber. It has succulent, four-angled stems, arranged in segments, with sparse, heart-shaped, deciduous leaves, small green flowers and clusters of blackberry-like fruit.

C. rhombifolia, grape ivy, is the species most used indoors. Numerous cultivars, including 'Ellen Danica', are widely grown.

Cultivation

All species of Cissus are frost-sensitive, and in cool and cold climates should be grown in pots in a cool to intermediate greenhouse or conservatory, or as house plants. They grow best in soil-based potting compost and are suitable plants for shade or subdued light, although they will be equally happy in bright light, but they should be shaded from direct sun. They can be grown in hanging baskets. Most species can be propagated easily enough from semi-ripe cuttings which are taken in summer and rooted with bottom heat.

Climate

This genus is suitable for zone 10 and above.