Cissus Discolor Is a Climbing Plant That Will Add Red to Your Garden—How to Grow It

Cissus discolor is a colorful climbing vine that's native to Southeast Asia. This tropical plant prefers warm temperatures, bright indirect light, and moist, well-drained soil.

Cissus discolor is sometimes referred to as rex begonia vine because of its similar leaf shape and color, but the plant is not actually related to rex begonias. Rather, it's a member of the grape family. Grow cissus discolor as a hanging plant or give it a trellis, moss pole, or other support to climb.

Cissus Discolor Care

Here's how to care for cissus discolor:

• Put in a place with bright, indirect light.

• Plant in rich, moist, well-drained potting mix.

• Water when the soil has just begun to dry out.

• Feed cissus discolor once per month during the growing season.

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Light

Place cissus discolor in a spot that receives bright, indirect light. The plant naturally climbs up trees in tropical forests, so it grows best in part sun. Avoid direct sunlight, which can burn the plant's leaves.

Soil

Plant cissus discolor in a rich, loose, well-drained potting mix that holds moisture. You can use standard houseplant potting mix, or add four parts perlite and one part compost to five parts potting mix to add extra drainage and nutrients.

Water

Water cissus discolor when the soil surface has just begun to dry out. Instead of watering on a regular schedule, check soil moisture routinely.

When the soil feels dry to the touch, it's time to water. Check cache pots and drip trays after watering to make sure the plant isn't sitting in standing water, which can cause root rot.

Temperature and Humidity

Cissus discolor prefers temperatures between 60°F and 80°F. Temperatures below 50°F can damage or kill the plant.

In terms of humidity, this tropical plant grows best in high-humidity environments but adapts easily to typical indoor humidity levels.

Fertilizer

Feed cissus discolor with a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer diluted to half strength once per month during the growing season.

Begin fertilizing when you first see new plant growth in late winter or early spring. Continue until temperatures drop and days shorten in fall. Avoid fertilizing in winter.

Appearance

Cissus discolor is known for its vivid red or pink stems, which grow delicate, curly tendrils as they climb up a tree or trellis. Its colorful, heart-shaped leaves are silvery gray with green veining on top.

The undersides and outer edges of the leaves are purple or red, as are the petioles that connect the foliage to the main stem.

Growing Outdoors

Cissus discolor can be grown as a houseplant indoors year-round in any climate. In temperate climates, the plant can be kept outdoors in summer. Bring the plant outside once night temperatures are over 60°F, then bring it back indoors in the fall before night temperatures fall below 60°F.

You may also choose to treat the plant as an annual, letting it die in winter and replanting the following year.

In zones 11 and 12, cissus discolor can be planted outdoors year-round. Keep outdoor plants in partial shade to prevent sunburn, or choose a spot that only gets a few hours of direct morning sunlight.

Propagating Cissus Discolor

Propagate cissus discolor by rooting stem cuttings in water or in soil. You'll have the best success during the spring or summer growing season. Before you begin, gather your materials: sterilized pruners or scissors, small plant pots or clear glass jars, potting mix or water, and optional rooting hormone.

1. Cut off a 6-inch stem tip with several leaves. Remove the leaves from the lower half of the cutting.

2. Submerge the cutting in a glass of water so that the leaf nodes on the lower half of the stem are below the water line. If using soil, dip the bottom end of the cutting in rooting hormone powder. Plant the cutting in moist potting mix so that the lower leaf nodes are below the soil surface.

3. Put the cutting in a warm place with bright, indirect light. Change the water in the jar if it gets cloudy. If using the soil method, water to keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy.

4. When the roots on your water-propagated cutting are about an inch long, you can pot it up and care for it as usual. You'll know a soil-propagated cissus discolor cutting has established when you see new leaf growth. At that point, you can repot the plant into a larger container.

Potting and Repotting Cissus Discolor

Plan to repot cissus discolor every other year or so in springtime. It's also a good idea to repot if you notice roots filling the container or growing out of the bottom of the pot.

Use a container that's only one or two inches larger than the previous pot, and replace the potting mix with fresh soil. Avoid using terra cotta pots, which can allow the soil to dry out too quickly for this plant.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases

Houseplant pests like spider mites and mealybugs can affect cissus discolor. Examine plants regularly for signs of an infestation and treat insects with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil. Plants can also be susceptible to fungal issues like powdery mildew, downy mildew, and root rot.

Prevent these issues by avoiding overwatering, pruning plants to create ventilation, and keeping foliage dry while watering.

Common Problems With Cissus Discolor

Lack of Variegation

Cissus discolor needs bright, indirect light to maintain its bright, distinctive coloring. A lack of light could cause the plant to lose its variegation. If this happens to your plant, move it to a brighter spot, taking care to make sure that it's out of direct sunlight.

Leaves Falling Off

Leaf loss on cissus discolor, particularly of lower leaves, can indicate a few different issues. Overwatering, lack of light, or shock from rapidly changing conditions could cause your plant's leaves to drop.

Consider your watering habits, light conditions, and whether you recently purchased or moved the plant, then adjust your care routine.

Browning Tips

If your cissus discolor's leaf tips are turning brown and crispy, lack of humidity or underwatering may be to blame. Check the soil moisture and dive the plant a deep watering if it's very dry. If you're watering adequately, consider running a humidifier near your plant to add moisture to the air.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my cissus discolor turning yellow?

An occasional yellow leaf is nothing to worry about, but widespread yellowing of your cissus discolor likely indicates problems from overwatering. Check the soil moisture and cut back on watering if the soil is overly wet or soggy. Allow the soil to dry out completely before watering again.

Can you grow cissus discolor in water?

Cissus discolor requires rich, well-drained potting mix to grow. However, you can propagate cissus discolor cuttings by rooting them in water.

Is cissus discolor rare?

Cissus discolor can be difficult to find in many garden centers, plant shops, and nurseries. However, this plant can be purchased online from shops and sellers specializing in rare or unique tropical plants.

Read the original article on The Spruce.