Cissus antarctica

RHS Plant Profile

kangaroo vine

Synonyms

Cissus baudiniana
Cissus glandulosa

Conservatory Greenhouse Houseplants

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A vigorous, tropical evergreen climber with glossy, toothed, heart-shaped leaves. This species climbs using tendrils, but is often allowed to trail from a hanging basket. A good houseplant for a lightly shaded position

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 1-1.5 metres
Max Height: 1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H1C

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Vitaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Climbing
Genus: Cissus can be perennials, shrubs or climbers, sometimes with succulent stems or rootstocks, and with simple or palmately lobed or divided, evergreen leaves and clusters of insignificant flowers followed by small berries
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: Australasia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in pots of peat-free, loam-based compost in bright, filtered light. Mist daily to increase humidity. Water freely while in growth and apply a balanced liquid feed monthly; water sparingly in winter. Pot on every 2-3 years and top dress in spring

Propagation

Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Houseplants
Patio and container plants
Hanging Basket
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

See pruning group 11; pinch out young plants to encourage bushiness

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, glasshouse whitefly and mealybugs

Diseases

Generally disease-free