Cissus javana (Rex Begonia Vine)

Few houseplants stop people in their tracks the way Cissus javana does. The long, vining stems carry leaves painted in deep olive green overlaid with striking silver brushstrokes, while the undersides blush a rich burgundy-red. The effect is so bold and painterly that the common name says it all: Rex Begonia Vine. Despite the dramatic looks, this plant is a Cissus at heart, which means it's a remarkably capable grower with a constitution tougher than its ornate appearance suggests.

In a hanging basket or trailing from a high shelf, the stems cascade in loose, graceful loops. Given a trellis or moss pole, it climbs willingly, making it one of the more versatile tropical vines for indoor spaces. It thrives in bright, indirect light where those silvery leaf markings show their best contrast. Keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged, and treat it to humid air whenever you can.

This is a plant that rewards attention. Pinching back growing tips keeps it full and bushy rather than lanky, and the trimmings root easily in water or moist soil. If you want something genuinely unusual on your windowsill or plant shelf, Cissus javana delivers.