Cissus rhombifolia 'Ellen Danica' (Grape Ivy)

Grape Ivy is a vining houseplant that earned its common name from the way its tendrils and lobed leaves echo the look of a grapevine, though it stays much better behaved on a bookshelf than any actual grape would. The 'Ellen Danica' cultivar was discovered by a Danish grower in the early 1970s and selected for its deeply lobed, almost oak-leaf-shaped leaves with a dark, lustrous sheen. It looks considerably more refined than standard grape ivy, with a lacy, delicate quality that belies how tough the plant actually is.

This is a plant for the shadier corners of your home. It tolerates lower light better than most vining plants and adapts to normal household temperatures and humidity without complaint. Let the soil dry out slightly between waterings to avoid the powdery mildew it can develop in consistently damp conditions. Grown in a hanging basket or allowed to trail over the edge of a high shelf, it creates graceful cascading foliage without the fussiness of some trailing tropicals.

'Ellen Danica' is non-toxic to cats and dogs, which is a genuine bonus in a vining plant where curious pets can easily reach the leaves.