When to Trim Grape Ivy

Cissus Rhombifolia

• This ivy variety is a short vine, 3 feet long at the most and usually growing to approximately 18 inches in length. In warm climates Cissus rhombifolia can be used outdoors in hanging baskets. Outside its temperature tolerance zone of 60 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, rhombifolia makes an easy-to-care-for houseplant, favoring bright, indirect light. Grown indoors, rhombifolia can be supported on a single stake or light bamboo tripod. Trim this grape ivy whenever it outgrows desired limits or becomes gangly. Both trimmed branches and single leaves root well to produce more plants.

Cissus Alata

• A vigorous grower from South America, Cissus alata flourishes outdoors in USDA hardiness zones 11 to 15. This variety will climb walls and tall trees. Pruning should be directed to keeping alata within bounds and can be done at any time. Prune for shape early in the growing season and for straggling or out-of-place shoots at any time. Alata is not generally suffocating to trees, although trimming back every few years allows ivy-covered tree trunks room to grow in diameter. Cut branches can be rooted.

Cissus Trifoliata

• This native ivy has numerous nicknames, among them sorrel vine, cow itch and possum grape. It grows throughout the American South and as far north as Kansas. Trifoliata is cold-hardy to USDA zone 5b and is often found growing wild on trees, fences and bushes in disturbed areas. It can be trimmed at your convenience, although, as the name suggests, you may wish to leave time for wild animals to consume the purple-black fruit.

Trimming Ivy Vines in General

• Although Southern grape ivies are all less aggressive than their cold-hardy Northern cousins, they are internally programmed to climb and will cling to anything that makes it possible. Pruning all ivies early in the growth season to encourage bushier development and trimming wayward tendrils as soon as you notice them will help keep both grape and other ivy varieties under control.