Are you a fan of intensely colored exotic vines? The Cissus javana, commonly known as Cissus discolor is a famous indoor vine grown for its spectacular foliage. The dark-green shiny leaves with pearlescent silvery markings and red undersides look mesmerizingly beautiful. Moreover, in ideal conditions; the veins get a burgundy to purple color that bleeds out in the leaf. Additionally, the stems also increase the beauty of the plant with a prominent reddish shade. Furthermore, the foliage produces tine droplets of secretions known as the cystolyths.
This is a fast-growing plant native to Cambodia and Java. You can use the bright vines for both indoor and outdoor ornamentation, making hanging baskets, pots, and open growth. Let us know more about the low-maintenance, non-toxic, Begonia Vine along with its care, propagation, and an estimated growth timeline.
Cissus Discolor Classification
Family: Vitaceae.
Genus: Cissus.
Species: Cissus javana.
Family Vitaceae
This family comprises dicotyledonous flowering plants. This family is also sometimes named Vitidaceae and Ampelidaceae.
The members of this genus are popular fruits known as grapes. They are commonly used for fermentation and vine production.
Genus Cissus
The genus Cissus was introduced by Carl Linnaeus. The name of the genus is derived from the Greek Word ‘Kissos’ which refers to ivy, the climbing plants. It comprises about 350 species of woody vines. They usually love to well in tropical areas. However, they are found commonly throughout the world.
Cissus Discolor Other Names
The Plant Cissus javana is associated with common names including the C.discolor. Other names include;
- Tapestry vine.
- Rex Begonia Vine.
Cissus Discolor Plant Features
Height And Spread
- The average height of the vine is ranging between 3 to 6 feet. However, in ideal conditions, the plant can reach up to a height of about 10 feet. The plant can spread up to 6 to 20 inches.
Leaves
- Each mature leaf is around 3 to 5 inches long and 2 to 4 inches wide.
Flowers
- The plant produces small yellowish-to-off-white flowers on warm days.
Toxicity
- The Rex Begonia vine is generally non-toxic in nature. However, ingestion of plants is usually not healthy. Thus, it is always better to keep the kids and pets away from the plants.
Dormancy
- The Javana vine shows stunning growth in winter. It may even shed its leaves. Thus, don’t get worried or over water as counter care. Just wait for the spring and your Tapestry vine will start developing beautifully colored leaves. In no time, the plant will flourish and get attractive enough to make you go gaga over it.
Cissus Amazonica
This is another popular vine from the same genus. This Brazilian native is commonly known as the Amazon Jungle vine. The leaves are of small size and usually remain under 3 inches in length and 1 inch in width. The small size makes it an ideal selection for beautiful terrariums.
The leaves are pale green with splashy silver shades and bright burgundy undersides. The plant grows up to form tendrils, which help the plant to climb over the support. This support can either be a host plant, a hardscape, or the terrarium walls. Unlike the Javana, it is a slow grower and can go for long without pruning.
The Care, requirements, and propagation of the Cissus amazoinca vine is similar to that of the Tapestry Begonia Vine.
Cissus Discolor Care
Water Requirements
The water requirement of the plant is medium. You need to manage the watering schedule according to the temperature of the season. From spring to fall, the upper layer of the soil should have at least 30 % moisture. Thus, keep the soil slightly moist and water before it becomes dry.
On the other hand, reduce the watering on the colder days. In winter, water the plant after the soil gets completely dry.
Please keep in mind that over-watering is harmful to the plant.
Sunlight Requirement
Bright indirect sunlight is ideal for the plant. Howbeit, the plant can do well in partial shade or dappled sun. Keep the plant away from exposure to direct sunlight.
Soil Requirements
Well-drained soil is an essential requirement for the plant.
Temperature Requirements
The optimum temperature range for the plant is between 10 to 30 °C. These plants usually love the warmth and have minimum tolerance for frost. In zones with fierce winters and frosts, it is important to shift the plants to warm zones, as soon as the fall arrives.
Humidity Requirement
The Rex Begonia Vines usually like a humid environment. Ideally, there should be more than 60% moisture in the air. On dry days, consider providing adequate moisture by the humidifier, misting, or adding a pebble-water tray under the pot.
Fertilizer Requirement
Added nutrition will be happily received by the C.javana plant. Use a common houseplant fertilizer in moderate quantity once a month or according to the instructions on the pack. Just like the majority of plants, these vines don’t need any added fertilizer on colder days.
Pot Requirements
Hanging baskets is an ideal to maintain these vines beautifully. Nevertheless, many people make efforts and train these plants to climb up the supports in terrestrial pots.
Pruning Requirements
You can cut down a few unhealthy leaves from the lower sides. This will help you to maintain the appearance of the vigorous grower Tapestry Vine.
Growth Zone
USDA zones 9 and 10a are ideal. Additionally, if the plant is kept warm in winters, it can do well in higher zones as well.
Cissus Discolor Propagation
These plants are pretty easy to propagate. The ideal method to propagate a Rex Begonia Vine is by leaf-tip cuttings.
Season
The ideal season for propagation is the beginning of the spring.
Method
- Just take a sharp knife and get 2 to 3 leaf cuttings. Make sure you cut below the terminal growth bud.
- Dip the tips in very little growth hormone.
- Now take sphagnum moss and moist it with water.
- Try to use chlorine-free soft water.
- Now plant the leaf node inside the moss.
- Keep the pot in a warm and humid place with indirect light of medium intensity.
- You can also cover the pot to maintain the humidity. Make sure there is a hole in the cover.
Water Propagation
People try to plant them in water. However, this plant doesn’t show any success in the water. The cuttings usually rot in water without any root development.
Timeline
Day 1 to Day 30: The stem tip will usually develop roots pretty soon, in about 3 to 4 weeks. You don’t need to do much care, just keep the growing medium moist with a slight misting of water.
Once the roots are developed, you can transfer the cutting into the plant. Simply plant the soil in moist, well-drained soil, keeping the roots system at least one inch deeper in the soil.
Day 30 to Day 75: Shoot development will start after about 4 weeks. Keep providing the initial care like high humidity, warmth, and moist soil.
Day 75 inwards: After the id of the 3rd week, you can follow the Cissus discolor Care shared above and enjoy the growth of the lovely plant.
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Summary
The Cissus discolor is an evergreen perennial vine. The beautiful oval leaves are dark-green in color with purplish veins and silvery drippings. The undersides of the leaves have a burgundy shade. These plants trail with the tendrils. These plants are usually non-toxic in nature. Moreover, they make beautiful hanging baskets and terrestrial pots with internal supports. The Cissus discolor Care includes warm and humid places, moist well-drained soil, and bright indirect sunlight.
