How to care for grape ivy (Cissus alata)

Cissus alata · Oak leaf ivy, Venezuela treebine

Grape ivy (Cissus alata) — a vigorous evergreen vine that climbs by tendrils, with glossy leaves made of three broad leaflets; indoors it is grown on a trellis or in a hanging basket and can reach about 3 m. Grape ivy needs partial shade. Water it about every 7 days while it grows and about every 14 days in the winter rest.

Checked against sources: November 5, 2026

Watering and repotting grape ivy through the year

It lives indoors all year, so it has no sowing or planting dates: it grows from March to September and rests from October to February (the other way round in the southern hemisphere).

Repot it about every 36 months.

When to plant grape ivy?

Plant or repot grape ivy in spring, as it starts into growth; early to midsummer also works. It is a houseplant, so it has no outdoor planting date and no frost decides it: just avoid autumn and winter, when growth slows and fresh compost stays wet too long. After that, move it to a slightly larger pot about every three years, or sooner once roots circle the pot or grow through the drainage holes.

Watering in the growing and resting halves of the year: Watering and repotting grape ivy through the year.

Sources: RHS: How to repot a plant · Penn State Extension: Repotting houseplants

Quick facts

Type	Houseplant
Latin name	Cissus alata
Family	Vitaceae
Also called	Oak leaf ivy, Venezuela treebine
Light	Partial shade
Frost	does not tolerate frost
Repotting	every 36 months
Grown in	At home

Grape ivy care by growth stage

At home

Stage	Watering	Temperature	Feeding
Growth	every 7 days	—	balanced (NPK), 14 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 44 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 74 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 104 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 134 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 164 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 194 days into the stage
Winter rest	every 14 days	—	—

Growing notes

Light

Bright indirect light, though it tolerates a variety of lighting conditions.

Soil

Well-drained, peaty or loam-based potting mix.

Care

Let the soil dry out between waterings, keeping it evenly moist from spring to autumn and watering less in winter. Keep it above 10 °C. Feed monthly with a balanced liquid fertiliser; dark green leaves mean the feeding is enough. Prune to shape at any time, and pot on or top-dress in spring. Leaves drop if the soil is too wet or too dry. Watch for spider mites, whitefly, mealybugs and scale, and for leaf spots and mildew. Non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Pests and diseases of Grape ivy

3 problems are recorded for grape ivy; each has a page with symptoms, treatment and prevention.

Pests

Other plants of the Vitaceae family

Grape ivy belongs to Vitaceae; 1 other plant of this family has a guide here.

GrapeVitis vinifera

Plant lists it is in

Part of: Houseplants · Houseplants safe for cats and dogs · Houseplants you rarely repot

Sources

Figures checked against these sources.