Cissus rotundifolia
🍃leaf (5)
🍎fruit (3)
🌳bark (3)
🌿habit (1)

Cissus rotundifolia

Venezuelan treebine · Arabian wax cissus · Arabian wax leaf

Tier 2 Difficulty: easy Water: low Light: partial_sun Toxicity: low
Water every
7 days
Temperature
20–37 °C
Soil pH
6–7
Hardiness
Zone 10–12
Click count
161
Observations
130

Description

Source: leafsnap

Cissus rotundifolia, also known as the Arabian Wax Cissus, is a tropical plant originating from Southeast Asia and India. As a member of the grape family, it is commonly cultivated as an ornamental plant due to its appealing foliage. The leaves of Cissus rotundifolia are round, glossy, and deep green, making it a great choice for adding color to any indoor space. With proper care and maintenance, this plant can grow up to 6 feet tall. It prefers bright, indirect light but can also tolerate low light conditions. The Arabian Wax Cissus requires moderate watering, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. In traditional medicine, Cissus rotundifolia has been utilized for its anti-inflammatory properties. It has also been studied for its potential use in treating osteoporosis due to its high calcium content. Overall, this tropical vine makes an excellent addition to any indoor garden or collection because of its attractive foliage and easy care requirements.

Care Guide

💧 Water Every 7 days

The Venezuelan treebine is a drought-tolerant plant that originates from arid regions. It thrives with minimal moisture and typically needs to be watered only twice a week. To prevent root rot, it should be planted in well-draining soil. During its active growth periods, you may need to adjust the watering schedule to support its climbing habit.

Suggested frequency: Every 7 days
☀️ Light Partial sun

The Venezuelan treebine is native to habitats like forest understories and rocky sites that provide natural shade. It prefers partial sun but can tolerate full sun or full shade, demonstrating its versatility and hardiness.

Ideal: Partial sun
🌡️ Temperature 20–37.8°C

Venezuelan treebine comes from tropical areas, where the climate is generally warm and humid. Because of this, it is well adapted to high temperatures and humidity. It does not tolerate sudden temperature changes and prefers a stable temperature, so avoiding indoor temperature fluctuations is important. It usually cannot withstand cold and needs warmer temperatures to grow. If the ambient temperature falls too low, the plant may stop growing or even die.

Ideal temperature: 20–37.8°C
💨 Humidity normal (40-60%)

This plant will thrive in moderate humidity, which is probably the level in your home. However, misting it a few times a week can be very beneficial. Make sure the room has good ventilation.

Humidity: normal (40-60%)
🪴 Soil 6-7
Soil pH: 6-7
🌱 Fertilizer

The best time to fertilize a Venezuelan treebine is in early spring, as it breaks dormancy. This encourages overall growth and flower development. Fertilization improves foliage, stems, and branches, while fostering large, vibrant, and long-lasting flowers. It helps transport nutrients from the roots to the flowers and enhances the plant's health and disease resistance.

🪴 Pot & Repot 2-3 years

Repot the Venezuelan treebine in early spring, selecting a pot only slightly larger than the current container and with adequate drainage. Use a well-draining potting mix and position the root ball at the same depth it was previously. Gently loosen any roots that are pot-bound. After repotting, water thoroughly and keep the plant in a warm, shaded spot. Regular pruning will help control its size and encourage new growth.

Suggested frequency: 2-3 years
✂️ Pruning

The Venezuelan treebine is a climbing plant with round leaves. To encourage healthy growth and maintain its shape, prune it in early spring. Start by removing any dead stems, trimming long vines, and thinning out crowded areas to improve air circulation. Be sure to use clean, sharp tools for precise cuts, which will help promote a fuller and more attractive plant.

🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity

Characteristics

Plant Type
Vine, Shrub
Life Cycle
Perennial
Genus
Cissus
Family
Vitaceae
Hardiness Zone
10-12
Mature Height
3.05 m to 6.1 m
Mature Spread
2.13 m to 3.96 m
Leaf Color
Dark Green
Leaf Type
Semi-evergreen
Flower Size
0.51 cm to 1.02 cm
Bloom Time
Summer, Early fall
Planting Time
Summer, Autumn
Harvest Time
Late summer, Fall
Native Area
Malawi, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Mozambique, Tanzania, South Africa, Sudan, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, Yemen, Congo (DRC), Botswana, Zimbabwe

Tags (6)

Common Names (3)

en Venezuelan treebine
en Arabian wax cissus
en Arabian wax leaf