Everything You Need to Know About Your Cissus Discolor
Alright, pal. We’re going to dive into everything Cissus Discolor. We’ll cover the background info, care, and propagation for this rex begonia vine.
Are you ready? Let’s go.
*Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I do receive a small commission if you purchase a product using my link, with no addition cost to you!*
Discovering the Cissus Discolor
Now, I was never a history buff. But, for some reason, I find learning about the history of plants to be absolutely fascinating.
With that being said, you may not feel the same. So, if you want to skip this part and head to the next section (features of the Cissus Discolor), feel free to do so.
For starters, the Cissus Discolor, or more formally known as the Cissus javana, was discovered in the Java Islands. (Think tropical rainforest vibes, for sure.)
As being a part of the Vitaceae family, the Cissus genus has over 350 species within it. Although the most popular plant in this family is the Cissus Rhombifolia, the Cissus Discolor rex begonia vine is becoming one of the most popular- and sought after- houseplants.
Features of the Cissus Discolor
Growth Potential
Since this is a climbing plant, it can reach heights of 6-10 feet. The leaves themselves can reach upwards of 6-8 inches long, but typically stay around 3-4 inches until fully matured.
Even though it would love a trellis or pole, the Cissus Discolor can still thrive in a hanging basket. (If you don’t have one on hand, check this out.)
You could always add a trellis like this or a moss poles like these to your plant to let it grow as an actual vine, rather than hang.
Colors
This mature plant puts out absolutely gorgeous green, silvery-white, and burgundy leaves with deep red undersides and vines.
As the leaves first begin to unfurl, they may actually appear to be more purple toned. But, once it hardens and your plant matures more, you will notice more of the red embellishments in the middle, but most of the leaf will be green.
If you want your Cissus Discolor to be a showstopper, I recommend planting it up in a dark pot like this to strengthen the contrast.
Flowers
To my knowledge, it’s pretty uncommon for a rex begonia vine to flower in most conditions.
To give your plant more of a chance to flower, it’ll probably be best to keep it outside in high humidity and bright light.
When this vine chooses to put out, the flowers are typically light yellow to white in color and particularly small in size.
Cissus Discolor Care
Lighting
Your rex would love to be in an East facing window. Although it won’t want direct light, it definitely loves bright indirect light.
If the conditions for your plant are dark and dim, you may want to invest in a set of grow lights. These are one of the sets that I use and I think they’re really affordable!
Water
You’ll want to keep the soil to this trailing plant fairly moist to touch. Make sure you are not keeping it soggy, though.
Check the soil by pressing onto the top layer and then possibly pressing into it just a small bit to make sure there is plenty of moisture.
I water my Cissus Discolor about every 3-4 days. But, I always make sure to check the soil before adding water to make sure I am not overwatering.
If you are a serious planter (or just trying to have more accurate readings), you may want a moisture meter like this to help you from over or under watering.
Going into winter, all plants will need to be watered less. You can then begin to let the top layer of soil dry out in between waterings.
Humidity
This rex begonia loves high humidity. It’s recommended that you keep the humidity around 60% to keep your plant happy.
If you have a humidifier, you can stick it in close proximity. There are some cheaper options like this. But, if you want to make a little more of an investment, this is one of the most recommended humidifiers for houseplant owners.
But, if you don’t want to get one, here are some quick fixes:
- Place your Cissus Discolor around multiple other high humidity loving plants. Adding them all together will increase humidity.
- Add small jars filled will a little bit of water between your plants.
- If your plant is small, or a starter cutting, you could put it in a ziploc bag closed ONLY halfway.
- Mist around your plants. Avoid misting the leaves because that could potentially damage them. But, feel free to mist around the area your plant is staying in. This is my favorite continuous plant mister, but you can also use a standard spray bottle.
Temperature
Most average home temperatures will be completely fine for the rex begonia vine.
Keep your temp between 60 degrees- 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid letting it drop lower than 55 degrees or reaching anything higher than 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
Soil
Even though your rex likes to stay moist, it still wants well-draining soil like this.
Try making your own potting soil by mixing 1/4 perlite, 1/4 orchard bark, 1/4 moss, and 1/4 regular soil.
Fertilizer
During the spring and summer, you can feed this plant every 2 weeks with a diluted high potassium fertilizer like this.
In the colder months, drastically cut back (or stop altogether) on fertilizing your Cissus Discolor.
Repotting
I prefer to repot once every year while they’re still babies and then transfer to every 2 years once it’s more matured.
But when starting out, make sure to repot your rex begonia vine at least every 2 years at a minimum.
Trimming
The Cissus Discolor does not need to be trimmed to grow big and full, but it could encourage more growth.
To help shape your plant to a trellis like this, or even it’s vines out in a basket, you can trim back stems or leaves to your liking.
How to Propagate Your Cissus Discolor Rex Begonia Vine
Nodes
Before you go chopping away at your new plant, I need you to look for nodes.
Nodes are the points on plants that can put out new growth. These are where you want to cut around to ensure rooting.
Once you find the nodes, you can cut right above (or below, depending on how you are looking at it) it to have a clipping.
After you get a group of cuttings, you can stick then in a small cup of water (or get some propagation tubes like these) and let it do it’s thing. Before you know it, you’ll have a full root system! If you do choose this method, make sure you change out the water at least once a week.
An alternative to rooting in water would be to dip the cut end of your clipping in a good rooting hormone. Then, stick in into perlite, moss, or soil to let it root.
Pro tip: I recommend putting your cuttings on a heat mat like this to promote root growth.
Learning how to love your Cissus Discolor
If you made it this far, you are basically a Rex Begonia Vine expert. You’re welcome. Send me a picture of your Cissus Discolor! I’d love to see it.
As far as I can tell, they don’t seem to be super finicky. I wish you and your plant all the well in the world.
Have any other tips on taking care of one of these babies? Drop them in the comments, please.
Additional care tip:
Cissus Discolor rex begonia vines go dormant in the wintertime. If you notice browning or falling leaves, don’t worry just yet. Keep loving and taking care of it. It should pop back up happy in the spring!
Signing off,
xoxo.
*Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I do receive a small commission if you purchase a product using my link, with no addition cost to you!*
