About

A tropical epiphytic vine, with trailing or twining stems up to 1m long, and pairs of fleshy, kidney-shaped leaves with reddish undersides, often held flat or convex and overlapping when the plant is grown over supports. Adventitious roots are borne abundantly along the stems, and clusters of small, urn-shaped white flowers are occasionally produced in summer.

About the genus

A genus of around 80 species of trailing, hanging or twining succulent epiphytes, grown mainly as houseplants. Growing on tree trunks or branches for support in their native tropical Asia, they have thick, oval or heart-shaped grey, yellow or green foliage and small pink flowers which grow between the leaf and the stem

Growing conditions

SunlightPartial shade
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHNeutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectEast-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1A

Plant details

Plant typeHouseplants, Conservatory Greenhouse
HabitTrailing
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesHouseplants
Native toIndo-China to Malesia

Care notes

CultivationGrow in a loose, free-draining cactus or houseplant mix, in filtered or indirect light. Provide high humidity by misting or by placing the container on a tray of moist gravel or pebbles, but allow the growing media to almost dry out between waterings. Will not tolerate waterlogging. See houseplant cultivation for more advice
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by stem cuttings or by air layering
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, mealybugs and scale insects
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free, though overwatering can lead to root rot