Cissus, or indoor grape, or 'berezka'

Cissus (Cissus) — a genus of plants in the grape family (Vitaceae). Native to the tropics and subtropics of Africa, Asia, Australia and South America. The genus Cissus includes more than 350 species.

Perennial deciduous, rarely evergreen, vines that climb using tendrils, the tips of which in most species are disc-shapedly broadened and transformed into adhesive pads. Stems sometimes become woody; bark dense, lumpy. The pith is white and not interrupted at the nodes. Leaves alternate. Leaves are simple, lobed, or palmately compound. Flowers are bisexual, in racemelike branched umbels, located in leaf axils or opposite the leaves. Cissus species are characterized by fairly rapid growth.

In cultivation:

Rhomboid-leaved cissus (roicissus) - Cissus rhombifolia

A herbaceous vine. Leaves alternate, trifoliate, rhomboid in shape, with rarely toothed margins, dark green in color. Produces tendrils that seek and twine around supports. Stems and petioles densely covered with fine hairs. In nature it flowers with small greenish flowers gathered in racemelike inflorescences. After flowering it forms red edible berries. This species is the most undemanding for cultivation. A cultivar of Cissus rhombifolia often seen in cultivation is the variety "Ellen Danica".

Antarctic cissus - Cissus antarctica

A herbaceous vine. Leaves alternate, ovate in shape, up to 10 cm long, with rarely toothed margins, dark green in color. Stems, petioles and tendrils are densely covered with brown hairs. Flowers are greenish, gathered in umbel-like inflorescences.

Variegated cissus - Cissus discolor

A fairly demanding and rare plant. Leaves alternate, ovate, with a cordate base and finely toothed margins. Leaf surface velvety, reddish-green or olive with silvery spots between the veins. The underside of the leaf, petioles and stems are purple in color.




Temperature: For C. rhombifolia and C. antarctica — moderate; in winter they prefer a cool room of 15-18°C, minimum in winter 10-12°C. Protect Cissus from drafts. For C. discolor the temperature should remain moderate to warm, minimum 16°C.

Lighting: Bright, diffused light. C. antarctica and C. discolor do not tolerate direct sun and can grow in a shaded place; however, an east or west window is especially suitable for them. C. rhombifolia is more light-loving and will do well near a south-facing window; in summer it can be placed outdoors in the garden, on the balcony or terrace, shading it only during the hottest sun hours.

Watering: Abundant from spring to autumn. In winter (October to February) moderate. Cissus does not tolerate drying out of the root ball, and excess water can lead to plant death.

Fertilizing: Cissus is a fast-growing plant and quickly uses up soil nutrients, so feed it weekly from April through September using a liquid fertilizer for houseplants.

Air humidity: Cissus responds well to regular misting, but if the plant is in a room with central heating, frequent misting — morning and evening — becomes necessary. At the end of dormancy in spring, after repotting, it is beneficial to give the Cissus a warm shower to wash off accumulated dust and invigorate the plant. C. discolor does not tolerate dry air and will need to be misted several times a day.

Repotting: Soil: 1 part sod soil, 1 part leaf mold, 1 part peat soil, 1 part humus, 1 part sand. Young plants are repotted annually, while plants older than 5-6 years are repotted every other year, but fertilizing is done every year. To encourage bushiness, pinch out the apical bud of the shoot.

Propagation: By cuttings in spring and summer; several apical cuttings are taken and, after rooting, planted together in one pot.