Cissus Amazonica – A Jungle Vine

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Updated: 08 October 2023

I recently came across this adorable little jungle vine while visiting a friend who enjoys creating terrariums. There’s not a lot of research available for Cissus amazonica (also known as the Amazon jungle vine). In fact, some folks claim that because it isn’t the easiest plant to care for in cultivation, it will never be popular. I just fell in love with it and want to share it with you.

Cissus amazonica is a tiny, tropical climbing vine, sometimes with two-toned foliage: green on the top and pink or burgundy underneath.

A close cousin to grape ivy (Cissus rhombifolia) and Rex begonia (Begonia rex) the Amazon jungle vine is ideal for growing in a terrarium but also, if conditions are right, it’s suitable for hanging pots and containers and can be grown outdoors where the weather remains consistently warm and somewhat humid, such as from USDA zones 10b and higher (find your growing zone here).

Because of its tropical nature, the vine has certain care requirements that other houseplants do not.

It is important to grow this vine in indirect sun to avoid burning the foliage. In nature it generally thrives in the rainforest understory, so mimicking that environment as much as you can is important. Provide the Cissus with temperatures in the 50 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit range at night and 70 to 85 degrees in the daytime.

Cissus amazonica closeup of tendrils
Photo by David J. Stang/CC BY-SA 4.0

So far, sounds easy right? Here’s the kicker: kept indoors you will need to find a way to provide the Cissus amazonica with at least 80 percent humidity.

A lot of hobbyists grow the plant in a terrarium for just this reason — it provides the ideal environment. Invest in a humidifier and stick the thing right next to the plant if you need to. The more heat you provide the plant, the higher the humidity level it requires.

As a rainforest plant C. amazonica requires consistently moist soil at all times. Do not let the soil dry out. If you provide something for the vine to climb on, it, too, must be kept consistently moist.

Cissus vines have a tendency to get leggy and roam when they’re content so if you need to prune it to keep it manageable, do so in March.

Now, you need to find one of these cuties! Logees carries them as well as Steve’s Leaves.

Photo Courtesy: Photo by David J. Stang/CC BY-SA 4.0


Reader Comments

  1. Susan Scripture says:

    I really enjoyed your article. Thank you for writing it.

    I have a cissus amazonica living very happily in my (London, England) bathroom. I am not sure how to propagate it. I would also like to know if I should wait until Spring to do this?

    Thank you for your help. Sue xxx

  2. Thanks, Susan.

    To propagate, use stem cuttings. Remove the leaves except for one or two at the tip of the vine cutting. Moisten the other end of the stem and stick it in rooting hormone before putting it in soil. I would use a soilless mix, maybe a gritty cactus mix. It will need lots of humidity while rooting but not so much that it gets moldy, so vent the humidity dome once a day, at least.

    Would love to hear about the results!

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