Cissus antarctica aka Kangaroo Vine

Taxonomy

Cissus antarctica, also known as kangaroo vine, is a climbing plant that belongs to the genus Cissus in the Vitaceae family. Native to Australia, this vigorous tropical evergreen climber has glossy, heart-shaped leaves with toothed edges. It uses tendrils to climb, but can also be allowed to trail from a hanging basket. In warmer rainforest regions along Australia's coast, Cissus antarctica is a common plant with shiny, medium green leaves that are up to 10cm long. It can reach heights of 2-3m indoors when trained or grown in hanging baskets. This vine is often used as an ornamental plant in gardens, providing a screen of foliage all the way to the ground. To control its growth, the growing points can be regularly pinched out to encourage the development of side-shoots, resulting in a lower-growing and bushier appearance.

Common names

Kangaroo Vine

How to care for Kangaroo Vine

Difficulty

Kangaroo Vine presents a moderate level of care, which allows plant enthusiasts with some experience to expand their skills and knowledge.

Water

Kangaroo Vine should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Kangaroo Vine loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

To ensure optimal growth, the Kangaroo Vine prefers bright diffused light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

Toxicity

There is no verified data on the toxicity of this plant in the records of Ploi. If any person, including yourself, a family member, or a pet, consume plant material with an uncertain toxicity level, it is advisable to seek the advice of a healthcare expert.

Humidity

No extra humidity is necessary for the Kangaroo Vine. Absorption of water by plants is primarily done through their roots, and soil watering is the most effective method to provide humidity to your plants.

Fertilizer

Repotting the Kangaroo Vine should be done either when it has doubled in size or on a yearly basis, whichever occurs sooner. Fresh potting soil with all the required nutrients, refreshed annually, will provide the plant with all the necessary sustenance, making the use of fertilizer unnecessary. Keep in mind that plants receive their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.

Region of origin

Kangaroo Vine’s native range is Worldwide.


More info:
Wikipedia