Grape ivy (Cissus rhombifolia), also called Venezuela treebine, drapes or climbs indoors our outside in hot climates. This frost-tender plant is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 however 11. In colder regions, it is possible to grow grape ivy for a houseplant. This plant doesn’t require regular pruning but also the occasional trim keeps it looking tidy and neat.

Growth Characteristics

Grape ivy’s extended vining growth habit means it frequently grows 2 to 3 feet long but can grow as much as 10 feet in the ideal conditions. Indoors, grape ivy is grown as a draping foliage plant from a hanging basket or a planting grass put on a high shelf or even surface. In USDA zones 10 and warmer, grape ivy grows outdoors either from hanging baskets or as a climbing plant up a wall or even a trellis.

Pruning Time

Grape ivy may be pruned any time of year, but winter and spring are the best times to prune because the plant is growing much less vigorously. Flowering plants often won’t flower when pruned at the wrong time, but grape ivy is a leaf plant as opposed to a flowering plant. It does produce flowers but they are small, green and unnoticeable and, in cultivation, the plant rarely flowers. Generally, grape ivy needs trimming only to remove dead leaves or direct growth in small spaces.

Training Grape Ivy

When Composing grape ivy to develop a wall or trellis, regular trimming maintains all the leaf growing in the ideal direction. Pinch off the leaf that’s growing beyond the desired place using a pair of clippers. Clip vines only above a set of leaves to maintain a pure look. The new growth on grape ivy vines is soft. To get a simple trim, then you can pinch the new growth off with your fingers. To maintain hanging grape ivy plants from growing too long, pinch off the new growth in the desired span.

Dead Leaves

Remove dead leaves in any time of year, whenever you find them. Eliminate the dead leaf using a pair of sharp clippers. Grape ivy is an evergreen plant so it doesn’t lose it leaves in winter, but older leaves die as brand new ones grow during the year. Leaving the dead leaves on the plant won’t hurt its health, but it does make the plant look prettier.

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