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Kangaroo Vine

Cissus antarctica (SIS-us an-tarc-tic-ah)

Family: Vitaceae Non-native Vine (vertical)

Kangaroo vine is a perennial climbing vine or shrub native to Australia in the the Vitaceae family/ Popular when grown as a houseplant, it thrives in bright to low-light situations, as well as in hanging baskets. Outdoors, it can reach a length of 13 to 20 feet. When grown indoors, it can spread to 7 to 10 feet, but can easily be pruned to maintain a desired shape. If grown outdoors, it will need to be supported by a trellis. Once established, plants should be kept in the same location as they dislike change. Plant in a potting mix and site in a pot with excellent drainage. Kangaroo vine requires little to moderate watering and you should allow the soil to dry between watering. Site the plant in diffused sunshine to partial shade and provide fertilizer. You can pinch back leaves for a more bushy habit. Leaves will turn brown and die if placed in drafty areas or near heating vents. During the growing period, Kangaroo vine prefers temperatures of 61 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. During its dormant phase, temperatures should not be higher than 59 degrees Fahrenheit during its dormant phase. Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: Susceptible to leafspots, mildews, mealybugs, spider mites, and scales. The leaves may fall if the plant is too wet or too dry. Subject to root rot/pests.

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 44 attributes.

How it fits the guild

Guild layer 6 - Vine (vertical)
See companions & conflicts ↓

Companions & Conflicts

Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.

No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.

Also noted by NC State

Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.

Full plant profile

Growing Conditions
Plant type
Ground Cover; Houseplant; Vine
Life cycle
Perennial
USDA zones
10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
Light
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
6 - Vine (vertical)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Horizontal; Spreading
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf shape
Ovate
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf feel
Leathery
Leaf size
3-6 inches long
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Leathery, glossy, toothed, dark green leaves (up to 4 inches long) with toothed edges and short, reddish leaf stalks.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Green
Flower form
Cyme; Insignificant
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Small, insignificant, may not bloom indoors.
Fruit color
Black; Blue
Fruit type
Berry
Fruit value
Edible
Fruit detail
Small blue-black round berries form if the plant blooms.
Stem color
Brown/Copper; Gold/Yellow; Green; Red/Burgundy
Stem detail
Smooth green stems
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
India, Eastern Australia
Distribution
California
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Fruit
Fruit type
Berry
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Hanging Baskets; Houseplants
Garden tags
#houseplant #tendrils #evergreen #hanging baskets #year-round interest #spreading #groundcover #vine #climber
Problems & Resistance
Propagation
Stem Cutting

Planted at Hunnicutt

Nobody’s planted this one yet.