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How To Propagate Cissus Discolor? 3 Method Guide!

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Java’s tropical jungle is home to this species. It features enormous, attractive, and colorful leaves in various colors and tones of green, silver, and purple.

This plant’s bottom and tendrils have a lovely burgundy to deep purple color, making it incredibly attractive. Because of its pattern, wide and long leaves, the Cissus Discolor is also known as the Rex Begonia.

It is not a member of the Begonia family but is closely linked to the Vitaceae family (Grape Vine). In this article, we will learn how to propagate Cissus Discolor.

The Cissus plant thrives in containers, hanging baskets, and trellises. It is a slow grower that is tough to care for as a houseplant. Give the Cissus discolor plenty of warmth and sunlight, and hang it in a hanging basket to enjoy lush, colorful leaves.

Discolor is a climbing plant that can grow up to 6′ – 8′ in height or length. The flowers are inconsequential and only occur on rare occasions, especially when the plant is kept inside.

It’s a medium-sized plant that, with proper care, can live for many years. It’s commonly trained on a trellis, pole, or hoop as a climbing vine, but it also looks lovely in a hanging basket.

This plant’s heart-shaped leaves are the star of the show. The pointy leaves have a silky olive-green appearance and grow typically 3″–6″ inches long. The veins are silvery-white, which contrasts sharply with the green leaves.

The stems and leaf stalks, as well as the leaves, have burgundy undersides. The tops and bottoms of the leaves may appear totally red or even violet when they initially develop. The tops of the plants turn green as they mature, while the stems may turn tan.

How To Propagate Cissus Discolor
How To Propagate Cissus Discolor via Wikimedia

How To Propagate Cissus Discolor

This plant can be propagated in three ways. They’re all simple and enjoyable. Before I go over each approach, it’s vital to understand which of the stem piece’s ends (also known as a cutting) is the closest to the roots and which end is the terminal end. It won’t work if you attempt to root the stem piece backward.

1. Propagation via Water-rooted Stem Cuttings

  • Water is the medium in which Cissus discolor is easy to grow.
  • Look for stems that are somewhat woody when selecting cuttings.
  • Simply cut a 6 inches long section of the stem off.
  • It should have three to four leaves.
  • Remove all leaves except the top one and submerge the cutting’s base (the part closest to the roots) in a jar of water for 1 – 2 inches.
  • Within 4 to 6 weeks, roots will appear.
  • The cutting can then be placed in a clean container with sterile potting soil that drains well.

2. Propagation via Soil-rooted Stem Cuttings

Propagation via Soil rooted Stem Cuttings How To Propagate Cissus Discolor
Propagation via Soil rooted Stem Cuttings via Reddit
  • Simply cut a 6 inches long section of the stem off.
  • It should have three to four leaves.
  • Dip the stem’s bottom 1 inch in rooting hormone.
  • Fill the sterile potting soil in the clean 3-inch pot.
  • Then, place the hormone-dusted end in the pot.
  • To maintain the high humidity levels, cover the plant and the entire pot with a clear plastic bag.
  • As needed, rehydrate.
  • Within the span of 4 – 6 weeks, the cutting will have formed roots, and the bag can be removed.

3. Propagation by Layering

  • Cissus Discolor is one of those unusual plants that may produce roots wherever along its stem where a leaf node comes into contact with soil.
  • A leaf node is a point on the stem where the leaf attaches.
  • Roots can form at that point.
  • To propagate the vine through layering, use a piece of bent wire or hairpin to attach it to the surface of a container filled with sterile potting soil.
  • Keep the pot moist, and roots will grow at the leaf node, which is pinned within a few weeks.
  • After that, you can clip the vine off the mother plant and cultivate it as a separate plant.

How to Care for Cissus Discolor

1. Light and temperature

Warmth and bright light are required for the Rex begonia vine. It grows in USDA hardiness zones 11 and above. The temperature should be around 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer.

The temperature in the winter should be around 65-70 degrees Fahrenheit. The plant thrives in partial shade and at a regular room temperature inside outside of its natural environment.

2. Watering and Feeding

During the active growing period of summer and spring, water your plant every day. Allow the soil to remain moist but not completely dry.

Fertilizers are beneficial to this climbing plant in the fall, summer, and spring. During these seasons, fertilizing should be done every 3-4 weeks.

In the winter, water lightly and avoid fertilizing. Wait until the earth is completely dry. Keep spraying your Cissus discolor plant to keep it healthy, as it requires a lot of humidity.

Mist your plant once or twice a day, especially during dry seasons like winter. Alternatively, you might put a moist gravel tray under the plant.

3. Soil and Transplanting

Plant this colorful vine in humus-rich organic potting soil. Check to see if the soil drains quickly. Also, every two years, re-pot your climbing vine.

4. Grooming

This begonia vine does not need to be groomed. Because it grows on the trellis, poles, or hanging baskets, cutting helps shape the plant.

5. Pruning

If you’re growing this vine outside during the summer, it is recommended to prune it back in the fall before bringing it indoors. With a sharp needle-nose pruner, cut it back by roughly half.

It will be less difficult to move and not try to take over your living room. The optimal time to transplant is in the early spring.

If you’re keeping Cissus discolor as a houseplant all year, you can prune it whenever the vines become out of hand. It’s entertaining to see them expand their reach, although they can go a little too far at times.

Don’t feel awful about giving them a haircut if this happens. You can use the clippings to create new plants to give to friends.

6. Pests and Diseases

Insects or tiny white eggs indicate a whitefly infestation. You can apply a good insecticide to put an end to the infestation. It can be tough to get rid of bugs in some instances.

As a result, the plants may require several insecticide treatments. Brown patches or burn scars on the leaves are other issues to consider.

This problem is caused by dry air or direct sunlight. To remedy this, relocate your plant to a shadier location and begin misting it frequently.

If the silvery-white veins on the plant leaves do not appear, your plant requires additional sunlight. As a result, you’ll need to relocate it to a more sunny location.


Final Remarks

It’s important to note that this plant is neither expensive nor difficult to grow. It is a moderate grower rather than a quick growth.

Cissus Discolor looks lovely on a trellis, where its tendrils and dark green leaves may be appreciated. In a hanging basket, this gorgeous vine can also be grown.

This climbing vine is ideal for bright spaces and conservatories that require a splash of color. So, grow this houseplant by using any of the methods mentioned above and enhance the beauty of your home.