Houseplant cissus. Cissus flower (indoor birch), home care, photo. Pruning and shaping vines

Cissus (room grapes, grape ivy, birch) is an evergreen shrub with elastic, resilient, climbing stems. The name of the plant is translated from Greek as "ivy". Belongs to the grape family. It lives in the subtropics, tropics of Asia, Africa, Australia, South America. Decoratively grown as an ampelous plant. Cissus is beautiful, unpretentious in care, very often found in homes, offices, and various institutions.

The plant has a spectacular appearance. Thin shoots of a reddish hue are covered with leaf plates shaped like birch or grape leaves. The leaves are glossy, dark green in color, there are varieties with a spotted pattern.

AT room conditions flowering is very rare. It is not particularly decorative, so the flower stalks are disposed of when they appear. Creamy, greenish flowers are collected in umbrella inflorescences.

Propagation of cissus by cuttings

How to cut cissus photo

At home, cissus is most often propagated vegetatively (by cuttings, dividing the bush).

  • Cut apical cuttings 10-15 cm long, with a minimum of 2 growth buds, at any time of the year.
  • Root in water with a root stimulator at an air temperature of about 18 ° C or in a sand-peat mixture, covered with a jar or a cut plastic bottle.
  • In the latter case, maintain the air temperature within 22-24 ° C, ventilate daily, periodically moisten the soil.
  • transplant into a separate container with soil for adult plants.

How to cut and propagate cissus by cuttings, the video will tell:

How to split a cissus bush

Carry out during the transplant. You can share at the age of 3-4 years. Remove the cissus from the pot, carefully divide into parts (2-3), each of which contains a full share of the rhizome and an adult shoot. Sow in separate containers.

Growing cissus from seed

Cissus antarctic and quadrangular can be propagated by seeds. Sow in spring in pots with loose soil. Moisten, cover the crops with a film. Ventilate daily, periodically spray the soil. At the stage of appearance of 2 true leaves, plant them in separate containers with a diameter of no more than 7 cm.

To make the bush more lush, you can immediately plant 2-3 young plants in one pot. The capacity should not be large - cissus grows better in tight quarters.

How to transplant cissus

Young plants (up to the age of 3 years) need an annual, then transplant every 3-4 years. For adult plants, change the top layer of soil to a new one (5-8 cm thick). All procedures are carried out in early spring.

Transfer along with an earthen clod: remove the plant from the pot, move it to a new container of a slightly larger diameter, add fresh earth.

If the roots are rotten, they need to be cut off, treated with a fungicide, in this case, replace the soil completely.

At the bottom of the pot, be sure to lay a drainage layer consisting of expanded clay, pebbles. So the water will not stagnate at the bottom, which will save the plant from decay. Drainage should occupy 1/5 of the capacity.

The plant requires loose, air- and water-permeable soil of a neutral reaction. You can use a universal substrate or, if possible, prepare a mixture of the following composition: 1 part of leafy, soddy soil, peat and 0.5 parts of sand, add charcoal pieces.

How to care for cissus at home

The plant is quite unpretentious in care.

Lighting

Lighting should be diffused, without direct sunlight. The ideal place would be east and west windows, you can place them in the back of the room on interior items - the cissus will adapt to such conditions. On the south window will require shading. It can grow in completely artificial light, but the duration of daylight hours should be at least 16 hours.

Air temperature and ventilation

Cissus withstands a temperature range of 10-25 °C, even a short-term drop to +5 °C is possible. Variegated species are thermophilic: they require a temperature range of 18-25 ° C.

AT summer time move the plant to fresh air (balcony, veranda, terrace, backyard). If this is not possible, ventilate the room more often. It should be protected from cold air currents, otherwise the vine will shed its leaves.

Watering and humidity

Like most indoor plants: more abundant in summer, moderately in winter. Watering is carried out as the earthen coma dries up. In summer, it should dry out by half, in winter - by 2/3.

Lush greenery intensively absorbs and evaporates moisture, the air in the room should not be too dry. Spray the plant daily, place an aquarium or any container of water nearby. Periodically place a pot with a vine on a pallet with wet expanded clay, moss, pebbles. Favorably on the condition of the plant is affected by bathing under a warm shower. In winter, keep away from heating systems.

Trimming and pinching


To limit the growth of the vine, it is necessary to trim and pinch the tips of the shoots. Old, long shoots are starting to become bare: shorten them by 2/3. Usually pruning is carried out in the spring.

top dressing

In spring and summer, every two weeks, apply complex mineral fertilizers for decorative leafy plants. In winter, the plant slows down all processes, so it is not needed during the cold period.

Diseases, pests, other difficulties

Diseases

Interveinal chlorosis- a disease that occurs due to a lack of nutrients. Between the veins, the leaves turn yellow. It is necessary to apply an iron-containing fertilizer or a complex of mineral fertilizers in half the dosage recommended by the manufacturer.

Leaves and stems turn black, leaves become stained, fall off- this is how root rot manifests itself, provoked by waterlogging of the soil. It is necessary to carry out an emergency transplant of the plant, cutting off all damaged roots. After transplantation, the plant is sprayed and watered with a solution of phytosporin.

Possible pests:

  1. Mealybug (rounded insects covered with a whitish coating).
  2. Shchitovka (insects with brownish shells).

Mealybug and scale insects are located on the leaves of the plant. First, remove them mechanically: moisten a cotton pad with soapy water and wipe the leaves. Then treat with an insecticide.

  1. Podura (small white insects located on the surface of waterlogged soil).
  2. Spider mite. It is necessary to carry out preventive treatments with actara every two weeks if you notice pests in your apartment. Their presence is manifested by yellowing and drying of the leaves, and a barely noticeable cobweb is visible on the reverse side.

It needs to be treated with an insecticide. Adjust watering.

Why do cissus leaves dry and fall off

  • Leaf plates curl, dry, fall off - the air temperature is too high. Move to a cool room or spray more frequently.
  • The stems became woody, the plant stopped growing - the root system completely filled the pot, it's time to transplant.
  • If young plants grow slowly, most likely the capacity is too voluminous.
  • The leaves become smaller, fall off from excessive watering or high humidity.
  • From a lack of moisture, the lower leaves will begin to become covered with yellow spots, and eventually fall off.
  • The leaves are curled, covered with a gray coating or brown spots - the soil is waterlogged.
  • Growth is slowed down by lack of nutrients.
  • From too intense lighting, the color of the leaves becomes pale.
  • The leaves are covered with brownish spots from a lack of phosphorus and nitrogen.
  • The leaves become smaller, their shape is bent, black spots appear - there is not enough phosphorus.

Types and varieties of cissus with photos and names

There are about 350 species of cissus, but only a few with bred varieties are cultivated.

Cissus rhombolistny or rhombic Cissus rhombifolia

Cissus rhomboid or rhombic Cissus rhombifolia variety Ellen Danica Ellen Danica photo

The name is given due to the shape of the leaf plates. The shoots are long, flexible, curly, green in color, pubescent with a brownish pile. The leaves are glossy, dark green in color. This species grows very quickly, the shoots are attached to the support with the help of antennae.

Varieties:

  • Ellen Danica - dissected leaf plates;
  • Fionia - carved sheet plates.

Cissus mandiana Cissus mandaiana

A variety of rhomboid cissus with dense leathery leaves with a glossy sheen and red-brown shoots covered with short villi. Differs in a larger size of leaf plates, the plant is resistant to temperature extremes.

Cissus antarctica or liana kangaroo Cissus antarctica

Leaf plates are oval in shape with jagged edges, painted green, reach a length of 12 cm.

Cissus multicolored Cissus discolor

The leaves are oblong, entire, the surface is dark green with silvery spots, the reverse side of the leaf is lilac-red.

The following species are rare, mostly seen in botanical gardens.

Cissus quadrangularis Cissus quadrangularis photo

It has thick tetrahedral shoots with a diameter of about 1 cm. The leaves are small, oval in shape, quickly fall off.

Cissus cactiformis Cissus cactiformis

Cissus cactiformis Cissus cactiformis photo

It has jointed tetrahedral stems. Leaves few, small.

Cissus round-leaved Cissus rotundifolia

Liana with hard stems. Leaf plates are rounded with serrated edges, have a green-gray color, their surface is covered with a wax coating.

Cissus glandularis Cissus adenopoda

Fast growing climbing plant. The leaf plates are divided into 3 lobes, strongly pubescent, the surface has an olive tint, the reverse side is burgundy.

Cissus striata Cissus striata

Beautiful with three-fingered or five-fingered bright green leaves and red-brown shoots. The leaves are miniature, the vine itself grows up to 10 m in length. The name is obtained due to the pronounced veins that line the leaf plates with stripes.

Useful properties, signs and superstitions about cissus

The plant is able to purify the air in the room, providing antibacterial and antifungal effects.

Some believe that the energy of the plant drives men out of the house. Other feng shui experts claim that placing a plant in a house helps to increase vitality and relieves fatigue.

In folk medicine, cissus quadrangularis is used as an anesthetic and tonic, for the regeneration of bone tissue, tendons, and cartilage. Contraindications for use are individual intolerance, childhood, pregnancy and lactation.

Everything new is well forgotten old. Cissus, once so popular, is starting to gain fans again. To avoid mistakes, remember simple rules plant care at home. And then warm childhood memories inspired by cissus will settle in your house for a long time.

Description of the origin and appearance of the flower

Soviet citizens had a small choice of indoor plants. But among the popular coleus and ficus, cissus occupied a special place, at that time known to everyone as “birch” or “room grapes”. Cissus belongs to the genus from the Vinogradov family.

AT wild nature numerous species of cissus inhabit the subtropics and tropics of Africa, South America, Asia and Australia. The habitat conditions of this plant are very different - it can be found in humid forests and in arid places, in lowlands and mountains, at an altitude of more than 3,000 meters.

Cissus is a climbing vine or creeping shrub. It has curly, elastic stems, which, with the help of antennae, cling to a support, striving upwards. The length of the vine sometimes reaches three or more meters. Mature stems are woody, covered with dense bark.

Cissus is a Greek name, it translates as ivy.

leaves saturated Green colour, with glossy surface. At different types the shape and size of the leaf blade are different.

Cycassus flowering is not of decorative interest. Inflorescences are collected in false umbrellas. The flowers are small, painted in white-green or beige colors. The fruits resemble small berries and are quite edible.

Cissus is a very hardy and unpretentious plant that feels good not only at home. Decorative greenery decorates kindergartens, schools, medical institutions, offices.

Types and varieties of plants

Despite the species diversity of cissus (more than 350 species), only a few varieties are grown in home floriculture, the most preferred, characterized by rapid growth and ease of care.

Type of cissus Description
Popular type of plant. An evergreen climbing vine with a flexible and elastic stem. Shoots and petioles are pubescent. Leaves are arranged alternately. They have an elongated ovoid shape and reach 12 cm in length. The edges are serrated. The leaf blade is colored dark green, with the underside being lighter. The inflorescences are collected in umbrellas, the flowers are small, greenish in color.
The most famous species among flower growers. An evergreen and fast growing vine that needs support. Thin and flexible stems, equipped with antennae, allow the plant to rise to a height of up to 1.5 m. The leaf is complex - it consists of 3 diamond-shaped parts. The reddish fleecy pubescence covering it gives a great decorative effect to the plant.
In room culture, it is less common due to the exactingness of the conditions of detention. Curly shrub. The leaves of this species are very beautiful - silver spots stand out against a dark green velvety background. The lower part of the leaf plate is dark purple in color. Yellow flowers are collected in umbrella inflorescences.
Cissus amazonica (Amazon)Also a rare species in indoor floriculture. It is a vine, therefore it is grown on a support. Looks decorative. It has oblong leaves with a bluish-silver color, sitting on purple stems.
Recently cultivated in indoor floriculture. The stem is thickened, tetrahedral - this distinguishes it from other species. Antennae, helping to attach to the support, grow in the internodes.
A climbing vine with a hard stem. The leaf is greenish-blue in color, rounded with a serrated edge. The surface of the leaf plate is covered with a wax coating.
Cissus BainezaIt belongs to the so-called bottle-shaped types and is a shrub. It reaches a height of 40 cm, and the widest lower part is 20 cm. The branching in the upper part of the plant resembles a fork. The leaves, located on small cuttings, have a trifoliate shape with notches along the edge. The surface of the leaf plate is felt-pubescent.

Photo gallery: Antarctic (“birch”), rhomboid, multi-colored, Amazonica (Amazon) and other types of cissus

Cissus antarcticus, known to everyone as a "birch" Cissus rhomboid is popularly called "indoor grapes" Cissus multi-colored is very decorative Cissus amazonica - rarely found in home floriculture Cissus cactus - a recently cultivated plant

What is the difference between cissus and roicissus

These plants are often confused, which is not an accident. They belong to the same family - the Vinogradovs. But the diversity of roicissus is not so great - only about 12 species. It has long shoots with many branches. The leaf shape is rounded. Distributed in Central Tropical Africa. The most famous type of roicissus grown indoors, by the way, is quite rare - Cape. And rhombic rocissus, which is confused with rhomboid cissus, is practically not grown in culture.

Roicissus, like cissus, is unpretentious plant. Cultivated species adapt very well at home. Easily tolerate shade, high and low temperatures.

Photo gallery: rhombic, Cape and other types of roicissus

Seasonal cissus care

Season Temperature Lighting Humidity
SpringDespite their tropical origin, domesticated cissus are not as demanding on heat. Summer temperatures in the range of 19–25 ° C are quite suitable for the plant.Cissus can be safely called a shade-tolerant plant that does not tolerate bright sunlight. But
there are separate species, for example, cactus cissus, which need a lighter place and additional lighting in winter. Cissus develop well near the windows of the western and eastern directions. The northern window sill is also appropriate. But bright south window unlikely to fit. The flower can grow in the back of the room with artificial lighting. But in this case, it is necessary to highlight it for at least 16 hours a day. In the summer, it feels great on a shaded balcony or veranda.
Due to the large foliage, cissus absorbs and releases a lot of moisture, so the humidity of the air must be high. The plant loves frequent spraying, especially during the hot season and during the central heating period. It is very useful sometimes to put cissus under a warm shower. Washing off the accumulated dust, you help the plant to breathe freely. Spraying should be carried out only with well-settled or boiled water so that whitish stains do not remain on the leaves. During the cool period, until
turned on the heating, it is better to refuse spraying.
Summer
AutumnIn winter, cissus feels comfortable at a temperature of 15 to 18 ° C. Cissus antarctica prefers a cooler room - from 10 to 12 ° C. It will also withstand a drop to 5 ° C, but not more than 2–3 days. Cissus multi-colored is more thermophilic - the lower temperature limit is 16 ° C. AT
in winter, be sure to protect the plant from cold drafts, otherwise cissus can easily shed its leaves.
Winter

How to plant and transplant a plant

Pots made of any material are suitable for planting cissus, but ceramic ones are more stable and allow the roots of the plant to breathe. The size of the pot should not be much larger than the previous one. It is important to choose a volume at which the root system could slightly increase the root mass. And do not forget about the mandatory drainage.

Please note that cissus is a vine that needs support. This task will be handled by ladders, sized plants or decorative snags or branches.

Cissus look very beautiful in hanging planters. In this case, support is not necessary.

The soil for planting cissus should be slightly acidic or neutral and necessarily nutritious. The plant thrives well in all-purpose soil. But it is best to prepare a mixture with your own hands, which will differ from the store in better air and moisture permeability. To do this, you need a son-in-law in equal parts of humus, soddy soil and leafy, peat and half of coarse sand or perlite.

Transplanting is best done in the spring - after a dormant period. Young cissuses are transplanted annually due to intensive growth. Adult plants undergo the procedure less often - 1 time in 3-4 years. In large specimens, it is enough to replace the top 5-8 cm of the earth with fresh one.

Step by step transplant process

  1. Transplantation is carried out by the transshipment method, which injures the roots the least.
  2. We lower the plant into a prepared pot, at the bottom of which a 3 cm layer of drainage is laid, earth is poured and a support is fixed.
  3. We fill the plant with soil mixture. In order for the earth to be evenly distributed between the roots and compacted, we spill periodically with water.
  4. After transplanting, we move the plant to its usual place.

How to care at home

Watering

The main condition for the healthy growth of cissus during the growing season is regular watering. In summer it should be plentiful, in winter - at regular intervals. The frequency is determined by the degree of soil moisture.

  1. In summer, the earth should be in a slightly damp state - lush foliage quickly evaporates the resulting water.
  2. In autumn, watering is reduced, the plant is especially carefully watered during the period when it is cool outside, and the heating has not yet been turned on in the house. The next watering is carried out only when the top layer of the substrate is dried.

The main rule of watering for cissus is that the plant does not tolerate stagnant water in the roots.

fertilizers

To maintain excellent decorative qualities, cissus needs nutrients. Top dressing is carried out from March to September inclusive. Universal fertilizers for decorative deciduous plants are applied 1 time in 2 weeks.

Bloom

In nature, cissus blooms willingly and even bears fruit. At home, this is extremely rare. Although it happened that with proper care, the Antarctic cissus presented a surprise and delighted the owners, albeit modest, but flowering.

rest period

There is no pronounced dormant period in cissus. Even in winter, the plant is able to develop, although not as actively as in summer. It is not required to create any additional conditions in the cold season. It will be enough to limit watering and stop feeding.

Trimming and shaping

Cissus is a fast-growing vine, adding in length from 0.5 to 1 m per year. Therefore, pruning and pinching are an integral part of caring for a lush plant crown. Usually, the procedure is carried out in the spring, freeing the cissus from wilted or dried, from overgrown or old shoots. If a transplant is planned, then pruning very usefully complements the first procedure. Pruning stimulates lateral branching, resulting in a larger plant shape.

Cissus care - video

Possible difficulties in care

Cissus is practically not susceptible to disease, but difficulties can arise with improper care.

Why dry, droop, fall leaves, black spots appear on the handle - table

Mistakes in care Manifestation elimination
The tips of the leaf blades begin to dry outtoo dry airSpray regularly.
Leaves curl and fly aroundhigh room temperature
  1. Move the cissus to a cooler room.
  2. Take it outside in the summer.
Brown "papery" spots appear on the leaveswaterlogging of the soilStop watering to dry out the topsoil. Then water according to the rules.
Growth slows down, young shoots do not appearthe plant has mastered the entire space of the potTransplant the plant into a larger pot.
Leaves fall in droves
  • the plant stands in a draft;
  • there are frequent temperature changes.
  1. Move the plant to a place protected from drafts.
  2. Create a comfortable temperature regime for cissus.
Leaves turn paletoo bright lightingIf the flower is exposed to direct sunlight, it should be shaded.
Light spots form on the leavessunburn
The leaves curl, mold spots are found on them, the plant fades
  • too frequent watering;
  • increased air humidity.
  1. Transplant the plant into a new pot with drainage holes.
  2. Replace substrate.
  3. Remove diseased leaves.
  4. Water and spray the plant, focusing on the temperature environment and soil moisture.
  5. It is desirable to keep cissus in a room with good air circulation, but not in a draft.
Leaves wither and fadeLacking Nutrients:
  • black spots - lack of phosphorus;
  • brown - nitrogen.
  1. Choose fertilizers with a balanced composition.
  2. Fertilizers are applied in accordance with the norms.
plant slows down growth

Pests

Cissus, although it belongs to hardy plants, but mistakes in care can weaken it. At such times, pests pose the greatest threat. In order to notice their appearance in time and protect cissus from problems, you should carefully examine the plant and follow the rules for care.

How to deal with pests - table

Pests signs Control measures Prevention
The body of the pest is covered with a shield that looks like a brown tubercle. Juveniles can move, but adults cannot. They feed on plant sap, taking strength from the latter and stopping its growth. The affected parts of the cissus dry up and fall off.Carry out treatment with Fitoverm or Aktara preparations. The dosage is indicated on the package. Spraying is carried out 2-3 times in 7-14 days until the pests completely disappear.
  1. With a cotton swab dipped in soapy water, remove pests and their excretions from the plant.
  2. Spray with a tincture of pharmacy calendula diluted in water.
  3. Remove dried leaves from the plant, clean cissus.
  4. Maintain the required humidity.
A close relative of the scale insect can be detected with the naked eye. These white furry insects feed on the juice of shoots and
leaves, which greatly inhibit the development of the plant.
A cobweb appears on the inside of the leaf, on which ticks sit. They feed on cell sap. Spots form at the puncture site.
  1. Rinse the crown under the shower and spray with onion peel tincture or soapy water.
  2. Maintain the necessary humidity around the plant.

Photo gallery: how to recognize a pest

An insidious pest is hiding under the shell - the scale insect Mealybug - a close relative of the scale insect Spider mite braids young shoots and leaves with cobwebs

reproduction

Cissus is a plant that can be propagated in several ways:

  • seeds;
  • cuttings;
  • dividing the bush;
  • layering.

seeds

The seeds that give the best germination belong to the arctic cissus.

  1. From April to May they are sown in flat round pots, shallow embedded in the ground.
  2. The bowls are covered with a plastic bag.
  3. Ventilate and keep moist.
  4. When the sprouts have a pair of leaves, they dive into separate pots.

Conditions for the growth of young plants need the same as for adults.

cuttings

Propagation by cuttings is perhaps the most popular method. Moreover, the cuttings are perfectly rooted both in water and in the soil mixture.

  1. To obtain a new plant, a cutting 10 cm long with several leaves is cut with a sharp knife.
  2. In a small (8 cm) pot filled with a sand-peat mixture, 3 or 4 cuttings are planted at once.
  3. Planting containers are covered with a glass jar or bag and kept at a temperature of 20 to 22°C and high humidity.

    The place should be bright, but without direct sun.

  4. After 3 weeks, roots appear and the plants are planted in separate pots. But you can plant several rooted cissus in one container. And then the plant will grow more magnificent.

You can propagate cissus with cuttings at any time of the year, but preferably in spring or summer.

In water, cuttings take root at a temperature of 14-18°C.

By dividing the bush

This method is used in the spring, transplanting an overgrown plant into a new container. The cissus extracted from the pot is divided very carefully into right amount parts, each of which must have a formed root system and an adult shoot.

Immediately after dividing, each part is planted in a separate prepared pot.

layering

Cissus can be propagated by layering at any time.

  1. An adult healthy shoot is chosen, which is fixed in a nearby pot in suitable soil.

    By deepening the shoot in several places, you can get several new plants.

  2. As soon as the rooted shoot has grown the root system, it is cut off from the mother plant.

cissus, indoor plant, which is better known as " birch" or " indoor grapes". If the first name is purely folk, associated with the similarity of cissus leaves with birch leaves, then the second is purely specific. Cissus belongs to the numerous family "Grape", numbering more than three hundred species. The plant is simple and unpretentious. The most inexperienced, novice growers willingly undertake to grow it. And the point is not even that cissus at home does not require particularly diligent care, but that it is not necessary to create special conditions for its cultivation. It can be easily placed both in a pot with a ladder on the windowsill and in a hanging planter. Indoor grapes are one of the favorite plants of florists - designers. They willingly and successfully decorate offices, reception rooms, halls, trading floors of shops.

In indoor floriculture, three types of this vine are most often grown: Cissus rhomboidus, C. multi-colored and C. antarctic.

Cissus Care

Lighting

Cissus rhomboidus makes the most demands on lighting. This plant needs a lot of light, in low light it will grow poorly. But if you do not have a place with good lighting, then choose antarctic cissus. This species calmly tolerates the lack of light. It is successfully grown even in semi-dark hallways and reception rooms. Cissus multi-colored prefers lighted places, but can tolerate light partial shade. All types of cissus grow well under artificial lighting.

Temperature

The main thing to remember is that cissus does not tolerate cold drafts. They affect it very negatively, up to dropping all the leaves. Otherwise, the usual room temperature (optimally +18 - 25 degrees) is quite acceptable for him. In the summer, if possible, it is best to take it to fresh air. In winter, a slight decrease in the temperature of the content is desirable. And although the plant is able to withstand temperature drops to +10 degrees, and Antarctic cissus to +5 degrees, there is no need to create such extreme conditions for it. A sufficient temperature for keeping cissus in winter at home is +16 - 20 degrees.

Watering and humidity

Indoor grapes grow very quickly and soon acquire an abundant mass of leaves, which contributes to the intensive evaporation of moisture. For this reason, the earth in the pot dries out quickly and new watering is required. Watering in the warm season will require frequent and plentiful, but without overdoing it. The soil should not be overly wet. Let the top layer of the earth dry out a little. Cissus will tolerate light, short-term drying out more easily than waterlogging. This is especially true in winter when the temperature of the content of cissus is low. During this period, the frequency of watering the plant is reduced.

Increased air humidity for cissus is perhaps the most important condition for its maintenance at home. Spray it should be sure and often! If in winter it is kept at normal room temperature, and the air is overdried by heating appliances, then it should be sprayed twice a day. It is advisable to use additional methods to increase the humidity of the air.

top dressing

Cissus is fertilized only during the growing season, in spring and summer. For its top dressing, universal fertilizers for decorative and deciduous plants are used, which contain all the necessary substances for the growth and development of the plant. This fertilizer can be fed cissus weekly. When using a specialized fertilizer, you should follow the instructions for it.

Cissus transplant

While the plant is young, it grows very actively, and will need to be transplanted annually into a larger pot. Starting from the age of five, the frequency of transplants can be reduced to once every two to three years.

Ready-made earthen mixture for vines is quite suitable for transplanting cissus, but it is not difficult to make it yourself at home. It is made up of equal parts of peat, humus, sand, leaf and sod land. In order to avoid waterlogging of the soil and stagnant water, high-quality drainage is required.

Cissus reproduction

To get a new, young plant, it is enough to cut off the apical stalk of cissus, which has at least two buds, and place it in a glass of water. You can plant a stalk directly in light soil. In any case, the propagation of cissus by cuttings is the simplest and most effective method. To make the plant look the most decorative, it is better to plant several young plants at once in one pot. Cissus also reproduces well by dividing the bush. Cissus antarctica is sometimes propagated by seeds.

Cissus pruning

In order for indoor grapes to always look attractive, they must be cut. Pruning is done before active growth, spring. First of all, sanitary pruning is carried out, dry and damaged shoots are removed. Then you can cut off all overdeveloped and old branches. In general, cissus lends itself very well to shaping, it can be given any desired shape. From the cut shoots, you can also pick up cuttings suitable for propagation.

Some difficulties in growing cissus

Of the pests, indoor grapes were to the taste of scale insects, leaf aphids and spider mites. If possible, you should refrain from using too aggressive chemicals as much as possible. Cissus leaves are quite delicate and sensitive to chemicals.

Often you may encounter the fact that the tips of the leaves begin to dry in cissus. This is a clear sign of dry air.

Insufficient air humidity can also lead to the fact that the leaves are deformed.

The lack of nutrients and the need for fertilizer is indicated by the pale color of the leaves of cissus and its slow growth.

From the lack of moisture and the systematic drying of the earth, the lower leaves of cissus curl up and darken.

About caring for cissus - video

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Indoor birch, indoor grapes or cissus flower are very popular among pets that grow in almost every apartment or office. Translated from Greek, cissus means "ivy". He is very loved by both flower growers and simple lovers of indoor plants for lush juicy greenery and unpretentiousness in care. Home care for cissus is so simple that even beginners in floriculture can do it.

Cissus flower: types - photos and names

The types of cissus are so striking in variety that one article is not enough to tell about all of them. Here are the main ones that are grown indoors.

  • Cissus antarctica. The most popular species is a vine that grows up to 2 meters long. Its leaves are egg-shaped, which have notches. The flowers of the plant are small and green. Cissus antarcticus produces edible berries that taste like grapes.

Cissus antarctic flower (photo)
  • Cissus rhomboidus is a shade-loving plant, up to 1.5 meters long. Grow on a support.

  • Multi-colored cissus is the most beautiful and whimsical. It has glossy purple-green leaves that shed in winter. Demanding on air humidity and temperature conditions.

  • Cissus quadrangularis an unusual cactus-like vine with dense, tetrahedral shoots. Grows up to 1.5 meters.

Cissus flower: is it possible to keep at home. Signs.

Signs and superstitions associated with this flower are of concern to many lovers of indoor plants. Birch refers to vines, which are credited with the ability to expel male representatives from the house where they grow. If you are superstitious, then perhaps it will work out, however, those who do not believe in signs will most likely not feel this negative impact on themselves.

But other properties of cissus are interesting - it has a huge bacterial activity, due to which it destroys bacteria that cause diseases. gastrointestinal tract, and allergic rashes. The plant intensively absorbs dust and harmful substances contained in the air of the room. By growing this miracle at home, you can avoid many diseases, as well as build up vitality and reduce fatigue.

Cissus in the photo

Cissus: reproduction and care

The flower propagates very simply. It is enough to cut off the upper cuttings and root them in water or soil, having previously treated the sections with a growth stimulator. As soon as the plant gives roots, it is transplanted into a pot.

Caring for cissus is quite simple. The plant will grow great if you follow simple rules:

  • all plants are photophilous, except for the rhomboid species, which loves shade. It is recommended to place them on the south, east or west window, but you should not allow direct sunlight to enter;
  • the optimum growth temperature is + 20- + 25 degrees. Birch prefers moist air, therefore, in dry weather it should be sprayed;
  • the plant loves moisture, which quickly evaporates due to lush foliage. In hot weather, abundant watering is necessary;
  • feed the flower every week with compositions for indoor plants.

Video: Cissus, home care

Cissus is a kangaroo vineyard native to Australia. It belongs to the most popular climbing home crops due to its unpretentious care and pleasant appearance. The long stems organize dense foliage that can curl around a pole or descend attractively from a pot. So, cissus as an indoor flower is ideal for decorating loggias or office space.

It is a perennial deciduous, sometimes evergreen climbing plant. Unlike ivy, it winds around the support with the help of special "antennae", and not the stem itself. It grows fast, is unassuming and is sold everywhere. Elastic shoots grow up to 3 m in length in 2-3 years.

Over time, the stem becomes stiff, becomes not so elastic, overgrown with coarsened gray bark. The leaves of cissus are whole, palmately complex or lobed, depending on the species. At home, the plant does not bloom, but if buds appear, then these are greenish buds collected in clusters. If pollinated, roundish red or black fruits will develop.

Types and varieties of cissus: photo video, names and description

Rye includes more than 300 plant species. The most common are the species listed below and some varieties of such a flower as cissus bred within them. You can find their description on this page.

Cissus antarcticus ( Cissus antarctica) often referred to simply as cissus. It has antennae that cling to the support. The leaves are oval, large, light green with large-toothed edges, 5 to 8 cm in size. The front surface is dark green, the reverse side is slightly lighter, the veins come with a slight brownish pubescence. For a year, cissus can grow by 1 m, its shoots reach a length of 3 m. Green flowers are collected in inflorescences.

Please note: in the photo - one of the types of cissus - rhomboid (Cissus rhombifolia).

Particularly unassuming. The shoots are more refined and elastic, reach 1.5 meters. They recognize it by pinnate leaves, sometimes with a reddish bloom, trifoliate leaves are composed of simple diamond-shaped leaves. Flowers of this particular species after pollination are formed into red berries.

The best variety is Ellen Danica, in which the leaves stand out with a lighter green tint.

Mandiana is a variety that, like Ellen Danica, refers to rhomboid.

As shown in the video, cissus is larger than its "relatives":

It has a thicker stem that stretches upwards and curls along the support with the help of tendrils. The leaves of the variety are quite large, because of this the crown looks thick. This is a hardy flower that endures any change in conditions. It propagates well by cuttings: sprouts can take root even at high temperatures. Distinctive feature- in winter it does not need a dormant period, but continues to grow.

Its name conveys the type of leaf color: white oblong spots run in rows along the entire width. The plates are small, 3-5 pieces per stem, resemble in shape. The plant is not demanding on humidity and tolerates heat well. One can distinguish the popular variety Red Sensation with reddish leaves.

On a warm windowsill suitable for flowers, you can keep more species:

Cissus discolor(multicolored)

Cissus amazonica(Amazonian)

They have leaves with a silvery pattern, but these species appear for sale only occasionally. They are more demanding to care than the first three of these.

This is one that has adapted to arid conditions and turned into a succulent. The plant has thick tetrahedral stems 1 cm wide. Its flowers are rather inconspicuous, like those of other relatives. Requires a lot of light and fairly infrequent watering.

You can find such types of indoor grapes as round-leaved or glandular. However, they are not easy to find commercially.

Succulents also include cissuses Bainez, Yutta, shown in the photo:

Houseplants take the form of a shrub. They have fleshy leaves, but Bainez's are trifoliate, green, while Jutta's are olive and spiky.

Why do the tips of the leaves of the indoor flower cissus dry?

Light-loving plant. He needs bright diffused light, for example, for a diamond-shaped flower. The Antarctic variety, on the contrary, requires partial shade. Office spaces or halls are well suited. However, it is worth protecting plants from direct sunlight, especially on fresh air summer.

All types of cissus can be used as ampelous plants, for landscaping vertical walls separating rooms, or trellises. The exception is cissus multi-colored. This species does best in a tropical window as an epiphyte.

It is necessary to maintain room temperature, Cissus discolor and Cissus amazonica prefer not lower than +18 °C, Cissus antarctica and Cissus striata tolerate temperatures below +12 °C in winter. In summer, you can take it out to the loggia, the main thing is to prevent a draft. Cissus is still a houseplant, so when it gets colder, you need to bring indoor grapes back into the house so that the leaves do not fall off.

It is necessary to provide a high level of air humidity only for Cissus discolor, so that the crown grows. This can be done with regular misting or bathing in warm showers in the summer. That is, you can put the plant in the bathroom and gently walk along the stems with a pressure of water at a temperature of + 30 ... + 35 ° С.

A similar procedure should also be carried out with plants that have a dense crown. Otherwise, the leaves of cissus gradually dry out or take on a strange shape - convex or concave. Excess liquid must then be poured out of the pan.

Another reason why the tips of the leaves of cissus dry is often dry air. It is necessary to spray the plant with a spray bottle and repeat the procedure regularly in the summer.

How to water and repot a cissus houseplant

In the spring-autumn period, all indoor grapes are actively growing, so it is important to maintain constant soil moisture. First of all, plants with a large mass of foliage need this, since their water evaporates faster. In winter, you can only water the Mandianu variety and those species and varieties that do not hibernate in winter. At home, care for cissus should be as follows: the hotter, the more often watered. The soil needs to dry out 2-3 cm between irrigation periods. However, you can not fill the flower, otherwise the roots will rot. If you feed the flower too rarely with water, it will dry out.

In winter and autumn, it is necessary to reduce watering to a minimum - only to maintain the life support of the roots.

Plants up to five years old should be replanted annually, then every 2-3 years. This is due to the fact that the flower grows very quickly, and in order for it to continue to develop, it is necessary to change the pot to another - larger one. A ceramic or earthenware container is best. It should be a "breathing" pot, that is, letting in fresh air.

The soil can be taken different, with neutral or low acidity. Some varieties of cissus, such as the Antarctic species, do well in hydroponics. A mixture of turf and leaf soil mixed with humus, peat and sand is often used. All parts are mixed in equal proportions.

Transplantation is carried out in early spring, when the plant has not yet completely moved away from dormancy. Drainage is placed at the bottom of the pot, then soil and a flower is planted. You don't need to fertilize. At the same time, it is better to trim the cissus to shape it.

Pruning if cissus leaves fall

Pruning is carried out at any time of the year, and if the lower leaves fall off the cissus, in the spring it must be cut off by ¾. In other cases, the flower is cut in half and the stems that are left without cover are removed. If these are plants that climb up the support, pinching is carried out in order to give splendor and density to the crown. It happens that in winter, with an insufficient amount of light, the cissus lets out powerless stems, which die in the spring or give even weaker shoots. In this case, they must be removed in early spring.

  • After pruning at home, caring for a flower such as cissus should be correct: put the plant in a well-lit place, water it, if the indoor grapes are transplanted, start feeding in a month.
  • If the leaves suddenly began to fall off, there are two reasons: draft and heat. You can change the position by moving the flower to another location.

However, such symptoms may also indicate rotting of the root system. Check if you are transfusing cissus!

If the leaves suddenly began to curl and fall off en masse, this means that there is not enough oxygen in the soil. It is necessary to loosen the soil every 15 days.

When the bottom sheets of cissus fall off, do not worry, this is not a problem, but normal phenomenon for a flower, it grows.

Top dressing so that cissus does not appear brown spots on the leaves

A flower needs nutrients to develop. Especially this need is manifested during the growth period - in spring and summer. Top dressing should begin in mid-spring. In summer - once every 2 weeks, from mid-autumn to the end of winter - once every 6 weeks. You can take mineral complexes for ornamental medicinal plants.

If brown spots appear on the leaves of cissus, it means that it lacks nitrogen. It is necessary to use fertilizers with a high concentration of this substance. Usually they are added to boiled non-hard water, which must settle for some time before that, and then the plant is watered.

If brown spots on the leaves of cissus are accompanied by fading and lethargy of the leaves, then the cissus does not have enough fertilizer. You can eliminate this by changing the brand of useful substances or increasing top dressing.

When the leaves suddenly turn very pale, you need to reduce the amount of light and remove the plant in partial shade.

Propagation of cissus by seeds and cuttings

Cissus is bred by cuttings, seeds and dividing the bush. As a rule, this procedure is carried out at the end of winter - at the beginning of spring.

Sowing seeds. Put in a saucer a small amount of peat-sandy soil, seeds are placed on top and pushed a little into the ground. After a little moistening, the container is covered with a transparent dome and placed on the windowsill. Reproduction of cissus occurs at a temperature of + 20 ... + 25 ° С. The first sprouts will appear no earlier than in 4-5 months. Separately, they need to be distributed only after the first real leaf plates appear.

Sometimes it may happen that the outer shell of the seed is too hard, then you need to help the sprout to come out. To do this, you can either pre-clean the seeds a little from the surface layer, or try to separate it during the growth of cissus.

Cuttings. Reproduction of cissus with the help of cuttings is easy even in the absence of experience from the owner. The procedure is carried out in February and March. To do this, cuttings are cut with a pair of buds and planted in small pots with soil - peat, sand - 2-3 each. In one container measuring 8 cm, 4 cuttings can be planted.

The container must be kept indoors with a high level of humidity at a temperature of +20…+22 °C. The diamond-shaped variety can reproduce in water at a temperature not exceeding +19 ° C. Within three weeks, roots appear, which are distributed separately.

How to propagate cissus by dividing a bush

There is another way to simply propagate cissus - dividing the bush. A large flower produces basal shoots that are used as starting material for breeding cissus. It is necessary to cut the rhizome into several parts and immediately plant in the ground. Keep, as before, in a warm closed room with a high level of humidity. Within three weeks, the shoots will sprout.

Important! Use a clean knife to cut off the stems and cause minimal damage to the root system of the flower.

One of the serious diseases is powdery mildew. This is a fungal infection that appears as a white powdery coating on the leaves. At the same time, the fabric reverse side leaf brown or brown.

You can fight the disease with a weak lesion with the help of biological fungicides. With a strong one, use the drug "Topaz".

Spider mite is a pest that sucks the juice from the leaves. Symptoms - cissus dries a lot, small white dots appear on the leafy plate, increasing to spots. You can find mites in the lower part of the plant and eliminate them with the help of water pressure. The flower should be washed several times under a warm shower with soapy water. If it doesn’t help, use Fitoverm or Lightning.

Aphid is a pest that severely cripples the leaves: they curl, turn yellow, discharge appears on them. With a weak lesion, aphids can be removed with a soapy solution, otherwise Antitlin, Fitoverm, etc. are used.

Important! Poorly tolerates chemical plant protection products. Large ones do not need to be replanted.

In order for indoor grapes to pleasantly please the eye with their greenery and not cause trouble, you need to follow a few rules for caring for a cissus flower at home:

  • Water regularly.
  • Monitor air humidity.
  • Provide lots of light.
  • Feed regularly in summer.
  • Carry out an annual transplant and pruning.

Follow this instruction, and the result will not keep you waiting. Good luck growing!