vine

Kangaroo Vine

Cissus antarctica

The Story

Plant Bio

Apocissus antarctica, the kangaroo vine, is an evergreen woody climber native to eastern Australia that scales surfaces using twining tendrils. The simple, alternate leaves are dark glossy green above and covered in soft, rusty-brown hairs on the undersides, with new shoots displaying a distinctive coppery-red coloration.

This species is highly valued as an indoor foliage plant due to its tolerance of deep shade and reliable evergreen habit. Small, congested clusters of cream to pale greenish-yellow flowers appear opposite the leaves from spring through summer, though these rarely form on indoor specimens.

Uses & Benefits:

Provides lush, evergreen foliage with attractive coppery-red new growth and glossy dark green mature leaves.

Functions as an excellent, non-toxic climbing or trailing plant for low-light indoor spaces and hanging baskets.

Offers minimal ecological value in North America as an exotic indoor plant, but supports native birds and insects in its Australian habitat.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Vine

Height

236"

Width

236"

Light

Partial Sun, Shade

Zones

9, 10

Water

Medium

Humidity

High

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Australia

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Bloom period

Spring – Summer

In flower about 6 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a container with excellent drainage holes and fill it with a rich, loamy, well-drained potting mix amended with perlite.
Position the plant in bright indirect light or medium shade, avoiding any direct midday sun which scorches the foliage.
Water thoroughly when the top inch of soil begins to dry, keeping the medium consistently moist but never waterlogged.
Mist the foliage regularly or place the container on a wet pebble tray to maintain the high humidity this species requires.

Pro Tip

Maintain consistent soil moisture and high humidity to prevent leaf tip burn, but avoid heavy, unamended soils that trigger fatal root rot.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Provide a trellis or moss pole for the twining tendrils to climb.
Prune lightly in spring or late summer to maintain a dense, bushy habit.
Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer every 20 to 30 days during active spring and summer growth.

Don't

Do not allow the soil to dry out completely, as the vine will quickly collapse.
Do not place the plant near dry heating vents or drafty air conditioners.
Do not prune blindly into old, bare, leafless wood that lacks dormant buds.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Fertilize
Pest Check
Prune
Winter Prep

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Indoor HouseplantHanging BasketsConservatory SpecimenPatio Container

Companion Plants

Philodendron hederaceum Epipremnum aureum Nephrolepis exaltata

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Kangaroo Vine questions

What zones can Kangaroo Vine grow in?

Kangaroo Vine is hardy in USDA Zones 9–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

When does Kangaroo Vine bloom?

Kangaroo Vine typically blooms in spring through summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Kangaroo Vine need full sun?

Kangaroo Vine does best in part shade.