Kangaroo vine

Kangaroo vine: how do you recognise it?

Habit

Climber with thin, branching stems; indoors up to about 2 m tall and 1 m wide.

Leaves

Oval to heart-shaped, 5–10 cm, leathery, glossy dark green with a toothed edge.

Tendrils

Thin, spiralling tendrils opposite the leaves, with which it grips a support.

Flower

Small, inconspicuous and greenish; rarely appears indoors.

Roots

Fine and shallow; it likes light, free-draining compost and rots with too much water.

Plants: March–April · Pruning: March

Why grow it?

• A tough, easy houseplant that also grows in partial shade and cooler rooms.
• Glossy, dark green foliage that stays attractive all year.
• Grows quickly and fills a bare wall, room divider or trellis.
• Fits well in bright hallways, stairwells and rooms with little or no heating.
• Easy to propagate from cuttings and to prune into any shape you like.

Kangaroo vine: where does it grow best?

• A bright spot without fierce midday sun: an east- or north-facing window is ideal; it also tolerates partial shade.
• Light, humus-rich potting compost, preferably mixed with some perlite or coarse sand; slightly acid to neutral.
• Evenly moist but never wet: let the top layer dry out between waterings.
• A cool to normal room, about 12–22 °C; not below 5 °C and not above a radiator.
• Give it a trellis, bamboo canes or a moss pole, and room to climb.

Light

Bright, out of direct sun or low light

Potting soil

Multi-purpose compost or airy, humus-rich compost

Acidity

Acid or neutral

Watering

Moderately

Size

2 m tall, 1 m wide

Temperature

Minimum 5 °C

Goes well with

• Ivy: Another easy climber for bright, cool rooms.
• Spider plant: A sturdy, easy plant that goes well in a bright corner.
• Philodendron: Climbing philodendron shares the same needs and gives a lush look.
• Peace lily: Tolerates partial shade and gives white flowers in spring.
• ZZ plant: A tough plant that needs little water and tolerates plenty of light.

Kangaroo vine: when and how to plant it?

Plant in March–April.

1. Repot in March–April, when the plant starts growing again, or buy it at that time.
2. Choose a pot with a drainage hole, 2–3 cm larger than the old one, with a layer of clay pebbles for drainage.
3. Use light potting compost, mixed with a quarter perlite or coarse sand.
4. Set the plant at the same depth as before, fill in with compost and press down lightly.
5. Put in a trellis, bamboo canes or a moss pole straight away and gently guide the tendrils towards the support.
6. Water well and let the excess drain away; do not feed for the first four to six weeks.

Care

Water

Water when the top 2–3 cm are dry. Less in winter, so the compost does not stay wet.

Feeding

From April to September a liquid feed for foliage plants every two weeks; none in winter.

Humidity

Average humidity is fine. In a dry, heated room occasional misting helps against spider mites.

Support

Regularly guide the tendrils towards the trellis or canes; the plant then stays tidy.

Repotting

Every two years in spring, or sooner if roots grow out of the pot.

Dusting

Wipe the leaves occasionally with a damp cloth; this keeps them glossy.

Tip: Give it a trellis or cane and cut back stems that are too long. Let the compost dry out a little between waterings: too much water is more dangerous than too little.

Kangaroo vine: when to prune it?

Pruning months: March.

When: In March, before new growth, but it tolerates cutting all year round.

How:

• Cut stems that are too long or bare back to just above a leaf or node; they will regrow from there.
• Remove weak, withered or damaged stems completely.
• Pinch out the tips for a bushier plant with more branches.
• Use clean, sharp scissors and use the trimmings as cuttings.

Pruning: when and how · Pruning calendar and basic rules

Propagation

Cuttings

In spring or summer: take a 10–15 cm cutting with 2–3 leaves, remove the lowest leaf and insert in damp compost or in a glass of water. It roots in a few weeks.

Layering

Pin a long stem with a node on to a pot of compost; as soon as roots form, detach it.

Kangaroo vine: how does it get through the winter?

• Not hardy: it must stay indoors all year and does not tolerate frost. Below about 5 °C it is damaged.
• In winter keep it cooler and bright, at 10–15 °C, and water less.
• Avoid a spot right above a radiator or in a draught.
• Do not feed in winter: the plant hardly grows then.

Diseases and pests

• Spider mite: Fine webbing under the leaves and dull, yellow leaves, especially in dry, warm air. Mist occasionally and rinse the foliage with water.
• Powdery mildew: White powder on the leaves, especially in still, humid air. Remove affected leaves and provide air circulation.
• Brown leaf edges and leaf drop: Usually air that is too dry, too little water or, conversely, root rot. Check the compost and adjust watering.
• Root rot: Limp, yellow leaves and a sour smell from the pot. Usually caused by too much water. Repot in fresh, light compost and water less.
• Mealybugs: White cottony tufts in the leaf axils. Dab with a cotton bud dipped in alcohol.

Through the year

• January: Rest. Little water and no feeding.
• February: Rest. Keep bright and cool.
• March: Repot and prune. Water more again.
• April: Growth begins. Start feeding.
• May: Feed and guide tendrils towards the support.
• June: Growing season. Water regularly.
• July: Growth. Take cuttings. Keep out of fierce sun.
• August: Growth. Feed.
• September: Last feed. Less water.
• October: Reduce watering.
• November: Rest. Move somewhere cooler.
• December: Rest. Little water.

Did you know?

• The species name antarctica means ‘southern’ and has nothing to do with Antarctica: the plant comes from Australia.
• It belongs to the grape family (Vitaceae), like the grapevine.
• The genus name Cissus comes from the Greek ‘kissos’, ivy, after its climbing habit.