It has been a good old American custom to grow sweet-potato vines in the kitchen window for many years.
This is not because the homeowner wants to raise a crop of potatoes but because they delight in the effect of the vine twining around the window.
The decorative value of a vine is not appreciated exclusively by the homeowners. For centuries, graceful lines have been used by artists, interior decorators, sculptors, and textile designers.
Book illustrators, around the turn of the 20th century, decorated pages with vignettes depicting vines. The landscape value of vines is well known:
- Over a doorway
- Against a wall or fence
- As a ground cover
All are but a few of the many ways that vines add beauty to the outdoor garden.
Many Vines Can Grow Indoors
Many vines can be grown indoors to decorate our homes. For convenience, they can be divided into two groups:
- Those that are outstanding for their flowers
- Those grown primarily for their attractive foliage
Before selecting a vine, consider the effect to be achieved with the vine as well as the conditions of light and temperature where it is to grow.
For example, a vine such as zebrina or ivy geranium would not be a good selection for growing on a big wire loop.
The risk of breaking their tender stems when training and twisting would be too great.
Many vines, particularly those that flower, need a sunny window and will not grow well unless this condition is met. Fortunately, there are many vines that will grow with limited light.
Not all vines look their best when grown and trained on support. As a matter of fact, most of them display their beauty best when grown as hanging plants.
Two Popular Foliage Vines
Two of the most popular foliage vines are Philodendron and Ivy. Philodendron is more or less foolproof as far as light and water are concerned.
The only thing that seems to bother Philodendron is a cold room or too much sun in midsummer.
It is a little different from ivy. Many types of ivy need considerable light to survive. In recent years many new ivy varieties have taken the place of the English ivy, which is better suited to growing outdoors. But it is invasive.
Indeed, so varied and interesting are the leaf variations of the hybrid ivies that many people make a hobby of collecting the numerous types.
Among the philodendrons are two species that are suitable for training in any way you wish.
One is Philodendron hederaceum (the common variety often erroneously called Philodendron cordatum).
At one time, Philodendron hederaceum was probably sold in greater numbers than any other plant. The leaves are small, heart-shaped, and glossy green.
More Pothos varieties are sold today than Philodendron hederaceum.
The other, Philodendron micans, also has small, heart-shaped leaves but is distinguished by the reddish color on the underside of the leaf.
Flowering Vines Are Possible
When it comes to flowering vines, it is not easy to find plants that will grow, as well as some foliage vines, do in our living room.
It is absolutely necessary for flowering vines to have a bright sunny window all year long.
A few vines which can be successfully flowered indoors include the lovely and showy clematis, Campanula isophylla, Manettia bicolor, episcia, Vinca major variegata, and morning-glory.
Cultural Hints For 15 different House Plant Vines
All the listed below will grow well in an African Violet potting soil with a tablespoon of bone meal added.
Aristolochia elegant
- Light: Light shade or diffused sun
- Temperature and Moisture: Warm, 60°-70° degrees Fahrenheit at night. Day temperature 10°-15° degrees Fahrenheit higher. Keep plants moist at all times. Soil should never be completely dry or soggy.
- Notes: Aristolochia elegans bears tubular purple-veined flowers.
Clerodendron Thomsonae
- Light: Light shade or diffused sun
- Temperature and Moisture: Warm, 60°-70° degrees Fahrenheit at night; day temperature 10°-15° higher. Keep plants moist at all times. Soil should never be completely dry or soggy.
- Notes: Clerodendron Thomsonae bears large showy panicles of crimson and white flowers. This makes a large vine and is best when displayed in the greenhouse.
Davallia bullata
- Light: Shade no direct sun
- Temperature and Moisture: Warm, 60°-70° degrees Fahrenheit at night; day temperature 10°-15° higher. Keep plants moist at all times. Soil should never be completely dry or soggy.
- Notes: Davallia bullata, squirrel’s foot fern, can be easily trained to grow on moss-covered bark. Foliage is delicate and the plant appears graceful.
Hedera helix
- Light: Bright light or light shade
- Temperature and Moisture: Cool, 50°-60° degrees Fahrenheit at night; day temperature 10°-15° higher. Keep plants on the dry side and allow the soil to dry between waterings.
- Notes: Hedera canariensis variegata requires bright light and dry soil.
Hoya carnosa
- Light: Bright light or light shade
- Temperature and Moisture: Warm, 60°-70° degrees Fahrenheit at night; day temperature 10°-15° higher. Keep plants moist at all times. Soil should never be completely dry or soggy.
- Notes: Hoya carnosa is an evergreen climber with clusters of fragrant wax-white flowers tinted pink. Plants generally flower in late spring and in summer.
Pelargonium peltatum
- Light: Bright light, full sun
- Temperature and Moisture: Warm, 60°-70° degrees Fahrenheit at night; day temperature 10°-15° higher. Keep plants on the dry side and allow the soil to dry between waterings.
- Notes: Pelargonium peltatum is often called ivy geranium. The leaf margins are edged a creamy white. Plants grow best in full sunlight.
Philodendron hederaceum var. oxycardium variegated
- Light: Light shade or diffused sun
- Temperature and Moisture: Warm, 60°-70° degrees Fahrenheit at night; day temperature 10°-15° higher. Keep plants moist at all times. Soil should never be completely dry or soggy.
- Notes: Philodendron hederaceum var. oxycardium variegated is one of the most popular vines. It is very easily grown and can be combined with other foliage plants.
Plumbago capensis
- Light: Light shade or diffused sun
- Temperature and Moisture: Warm, 60°-70° degrees Fahrenheit at night; day temperature 10°-15° higher. Keep plants moist at all times. Soil should never be completely dry or soggy.
- Notes: Plumbago capensis has delicate blue flowers.
Pothos Marble Queen
- Light: Light shade or diffused sun
- Temperature and Moisture: Warm, 60°-70° degrees Fahrenheit at night; day temperature 10°-15° higher. Keep plants moist at all times. Soil should never be completely dry or soggy.
- Notes: Marble Queen Pothos is a very popular vine. Green-and-white leaves are shiny and heavy textured.
Pothos Golden
- Light: Light shade or diffused sun
- Temperature and Moisture: Warm, 60°-70° degrees Fahrenheit at night; day temperature 10°-15° higher. Keep plants moist at all times. Soil should never be completely dry or soggy.
- Notes: Golden Pothos grows well up a bamboo totem.
Solandra nitida
- Light: Light shade or diffused sun
- Temperature and Moisture: Warm, 60°-70° degrees Fahrenheit at night; day temperature 10°-15° higher. Keep plants moist at all times. Soil should never be completely dry or soggy.
- Notes: Solandra nitida bears large tubular yellow flowers with reflexed corolla lobes. The leaves are glossy and quite heavy. This species is not generally available. However, the seed is available of an equally attractive species with white flowers, Solandra Grandiflora.
Syngonium podophyllum
- Light: Light shade or diffused sun
- Temperature and Moisture: Warm, 60°-70° degrees Fahrenheit at night; day temperature 10°-15° higher. Keep plants moist at all times. Soil should never be completely dry or soggy.
- Notes: Syngonium podophyllum is a tropical vine that appreciates a piece of bark or moss-covered stick for support. Leaves are variegated.
Tibouchina semidecandra
- Light: Bright light, full sun
- Temperature and Moisture: Warm, 60°-70° degrees Fahrenheit at night; day temperature 10°-15° higher. Keep plants moist at all times. Soil should never be completely dry or soggy.
- Notes: Tibouchina, known as the glory bush, has deep purple flowers. It should be grown indoors in full sun and planted outdoors in summer.
Vinca major variegata
- Light: Bright light, full sun
- Temperature and Moisture: Cool, 50°-60° degrees Fahrenheit at night; day temperature 10°-15° higher. Keep plants on the dry side and allow the soil to dry between waterings.
- Notes: Vinca major variegata is often grown in window boxes outdoors but it may also be grown indoors. Keep in a cool room with full sunlight.
Zebrina pendula
- Light: Light shade or diffused sun
- Temperature and Moisture: Warm, 60°-70° degrees Fahrenheit at night; day temperature 10°-15° higher. Keep plants on the dry side and allow the soil to dry between waterings.
- Notes: Zebrina pendula is best grown as a hanging plant as the stems are very brittle. The leaves are colorful, striped white above, purple beneath.
FGR-1158 by W Singer edits Plant Care Today Staff