Plant guide

Grape Ivy.

Cissus rhombifolia Jacq.

Pronounced SISS-us ah-LAY-tah

Also known as Cissus rhombifolia, Venezuela treebind, Venezuela treebine, grape ivy, grape-ivy

The grape ivy is a charming, vining plant that brings a touch of the tropics to your home. It features lovely, three-lobed leaves that look quite similar to grape foliage. It's a fantastic choice for hanging baskets or trailing over a bookshelf.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Vine
Light: Bright, indirect light is best for keeping the leaves lush and green.
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 5 to 10 days
Mature size: 6 to 10 feet long
Growth rate: Fast

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy to prevent root issues. Watch for drooping leaves, which often signal that the plant is thirsty. If you notice brown tips, it might appreciate a bit more humidity in the air.

Watering: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Feeding: Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Trim back long stems to encourage a bushier, fuller shape.
Repotting: Move to a slightly larger pot once the roots begin to crowd the container.
Soil: Well-draining, peat-based potting mix
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.0

Safety

Pets: This plant is generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs.

How to identify it

Three-lobed, glossy green leaves
Vining growth habit
Tendrils for climbing support
Slightly fuzzy leaf undersides

Problems to watch for

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Science

Family: Vitaceae
Genus: Cissus
Order: Vitales
Class: Magnoliopsida

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Keep your grape ivy growing

This page is a general guide. Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked.

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This guide was generated with AI on November 6, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.