Cissus discolor

Rex Begonia Vine, Tapestry Vine, Begonia Vine, Climbing Begonia

Moderate careTerrestrialNon-toxic180–300 cm

Native to tropical forests from the Indian subcontinent through Southeast Asia and into Malesia, Cissus discolor is a climbing vine of the grape family (Vitaceae) — despite its common name, it is entirely unrelated to begonias. Its leaves are the defining feature: a deep green upper surface is dramatically marked with silvery-white patterning between the veins, while the underside is a rich reddish-purple, and the stems share that same burgundy colouring. In a closed terrarium it does best in warm, stable humidity above 60%, where it grows quickly and climbs via forked tendrils, needing periodic pruning to stay in bounds.

Build a terrarium with this plant
Rex Begonia Vine image

Photo by Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz·CC BY-SA 4.0

Care

Prefers high humidity, bright indirect light, with 10–30 °C, and reaches 300 cm at maturity.

Light

Bright indirect(preferred)Indirect light

Humidity

High (60–80%)(preferred)Medium (40–60%)

Temperature

10°C25°C40°C
10°C – 30°C

Soil

Well draining(preferred)Moisture retentive

Moisture

Moist(preferred)

Soil pH

6 – 7

Propagation

Take a semi-mature stem cutting just below a node, retaining two to three leaves and removing any at the cut end. Insert into moist sphagnum moss or a free-draining potting mix, and keep warm (24–27 °C) under high humidity — a propagation dome or sealed bag helps significantly. Roots typically appear within three to four weeks. Spring and summer cuttings tend to root faster as the plant is actively growing.

Native range

Native to China, Indian Subcontinent, Indo-China, and Malesia.

Appearance

Growth habit

ClimbingTrailing

Leaf shape

Heart

Leaf texture

Velvety

Frequently asked

Can Rex Begonia Vine grow in a closed terrarium?

Yes. Rex Begonia Vine prefers high (60–80%) humidity, which is what a closed terrarium provides, and tolerates bright-indirect-light-loving conditions.

Does Rex Begonia Vine need drainage?

Rex Begonia Vine prefers a moist substrate. Drainage is helpful but not critical; consistent moisture matters more.

What humidity does Rex Begonia Vine need?

Rex Begonia Vine does best in high (60–80%) humidity.

Is Rex Begonia Vine pet-safe?

Rex Begonia Vine is considered non-toxic to common household pets.

How tall does Rex Begonia Vine grow?

Rex Begonia Vine typically reaches 180–300 cm at maturity.

How do you propagate Rex Begonia Vine?

Rex Begonia Vine can be propagated by stem cuttings or air layering.

References

  1. 1

    Kew Plants of the World Online — Cissus discolor

    https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:869840-1
  2. 2
  3. 3

    Plants Craze — Cissus discolor

    https://plantscraze.com/cissus-discolor/
  4. 4

    Gardening Brain — Cissus discolor

    https://gardeningbrain.com/cissus-discolor/
  5. 5
  6. 6

    PlantCareToday — Cissus discolor

    https://plantcaretoday.com/cissus-discolor.html
  7. 7
  8. 8

    Garden 24h — Cissus discolor care and propagation

    https://garden24h.com/cissus-discolor-care-and-propagation
  9. 9

    Paisley Plants — Cissus discolor care

    https://paisleyplants.com/cissus-discolor-care/
  10. 10
  11. 11

    Dart Frog Connection — Cissus discolor

    https://dartfrogconnection.com/cissus-discolor.html
  12. 12

    Dendroboard — Cissus discolor vivarium thread

    https://www.dendroboard.com/threads/cissus-discolor.65880/