Grape ivy, or Cissus rhombifolia, is a member of the grape family. Also known as Cissus alata, it is native to the New World Tropics, from Mexico down to Bolivia, and over to Venezuela, Trinidad and Guyana. It’s a tough plant, not fussy at all with a vibrant growth habit and very tolerant of indoor and outdoor conditions. This image is from a recent July morning. It goes wild when I summer it on the balcony. The fresh air, south facing afternoon sun, and humidity makes it very happy. I water it every seven to 10 days, as it likes to dry out a bit between waterings. For fertilizer, I sprinkle used coffee grounds on the soil’s surface. I’ll also use 1/4 strength plant food diluted in my gallon watering can once or twice a month. Occasionally, I pinch the growth tips to encourage lateral growth to make the plant bushy and full. I’ve propagated it with some small cuttings dipped in root hormone powder in small pots with moist soil. Last summer it got mealybugs (GAK!), but with regular neem oil spraying, cotton balls soaked in rubbing alcohol on the leaves and stems, and monthly showers in the kitchen sink or bathtub, I got rid of the plant pests and kept them away. * * * #cissusrhombifolia #cissusalata #grapeivy #grapeivyhouseplant #balcony #balconygarden #toughplant #plantsofinstagram #plantsmakepeoplehappy #houseplants #houseplantsofinstagram #southfacing #hangingplants #greendream (at 02169) https://www.instagram.com/p/CSYZomWMgQS/?utm_medium=tumblr
