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Cissus quadrangularis
Place ideally in a sunny location. The plant will tolerate partial shade.
Always water a few days after the substrate has dried out. In winter, limit watering. We try to be regular.
It can tolerate 4.4 °C. The plant likes room temperature.
The plant can be found under a lot of common names. One of them is Devil's Backbone. It is also used in traditional and modern medicine.
Cissus quadrangularis, also known by the vernacular names Veldt Grape, Adamant Creeper, Devil's Backbone, Edible Stemmed Vine, Grape Leaf, or Winged Treebine, is a climbing succulent native to the drier regions of tropical Africa, Madagascar, Arabia, India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and the Philippines. Due to its medicinal properties, it is widely used in traditional medicine. It is sometimes found under the name Cissus quadrangularis var. quadrangularis, Saelanthus quadragonus or Vitis quadrangularis.
The succulent is characterised by its green, branched and quadrangular stems that grow in clasped knots. Tendrils grow on the same node but in the opposite direction to the leaf. The leaves of the plant are variable in shape and smooth. In old age, the succulent is almost leafless. The fleshy stems grow up to 1,5 metres long and are usually glabrous or slightly hairy.
Mature plants produce racemes of small yellow-green flowers followed by single-seeded fruits which turn red when ripe.
Cissus quadrangularis is a fast-growing, easy-to-grow succulent. It can be fertilised and is ideal for hanging containers where its stems cascade, or for growing on a trellis or other support. It suits room temperatures, so together with its quirky stems and medicinal abilities, it makes an ideal houseplant.