Angel vine, also called “Muehlenbeckia complexa,” is a trailing plant species in the Polygonaceae family. It is elegantly green and packs wiry stems with dense, small delicate leaves.
The plant is fast-growing, and gardeners love it for its ornamental value in hanging baskets, trellises, or as a ground cover. Angel vine can tolerate low light and is hardy— making it a convenient houseplant.
This article discusses how to take care of this gorgeous plant so that it can keep growing. Let’s dive in.
Angel Vine Plant Care Indoors
Despite being preferred as an indoor plant, you can also grow Angel Vine outdoors. However, our focus is on propagating it as a houseplant.
Some important factors that need to be taken care of include the following:
- Watering
- Humidity
- Lighting
- Fertilizer
- Potting Soil
- Propagation
- Pruning
- Pest and Diseases
Let’s get down to each of these factors in more detail below.
Watering
When it comes to watering Angel Vine, you’re better off underwatering the plant than overwatering. However, you want to ensure that you’re meeting the bare minimum.
The beautiful house plant likes to be watered thoroughly. Twice a week could work, depending on various variables.
The type of pot you’ve chosen for the plant is the primary factor. Terracotta pots lose water more rapidly as compared to plastic pots.
Light, temperature, and humidity are the other factors affecting the watering frequency. In warm and moist environments, less watering is usually required.
Determine the dryness of the soil using a finger test. Do thorough watering until the water starts flowing from the bottom of the pot. Ideally, have a drip tray underneath the pot to catch the excess water.
Reduce the watering frequency in winter to avoid overwatering the plant. Also, ensure the plant isn’t sitting in water for long since it leads to root rot.
Humidity
Like any typical houseplant, Angel Vine requires a humid environment to thrive. You should maintain a moderate to highly humid environment by misting regularly or using a humidifier.
Low humidity levels lead to browning and leaf drops in houseplants. However, be wary of too much humidity, which can expose your plant to fungal diseases.
Some tips to provide optimal humidity include:
- Place a tray of water near the plant.
- Mist regularly.
- Place the plant in a room with a humidifier.
- Group and place the plant with other houseplants to create a micro-climate.
Lastly, avoid keeping Angel Vine in direct airflow or around heating vents— the dry air can hurt your plant.
Light Requirements
You want to position your Angel Vine in an area receiving indirect sunlight, preferably near a window. Avoid placing the plant in direct light since the leaves could turn yellow or get scorched.
You can still grow Angel Vine under artificial lighting; however, it will grow slower and have fewer leaves.
On the contrary, bright light makes them snowball and become bushier.
Fertilizing
Fertilizing your Angel Vine is essential to ensure it continues its healthy growth. We recommend using a water-soluble fertilizer during the growing season, in spring and summer.
Some gardeners recommend feeding at half the recommended amount once a month. You could try different measurements on separate plants and see what works best.
Reduce fertilizer application during fall and winter when the plant is not actively growing.
You can also fertilize Angel Vine using a granular slow-release fertilizer during potting or planting.
Avoid overfertilizing the plant— common signs include leaf yellowing and stunted growth. We recommend testing your soil or potting mix before opting for a fertilizer.
Soil Requirements
Soil for Angel Vine should be nutrient-rich, well-draining, rich in organic matter, and has a pH of 6.0 – 6.5. Ideally, you want to incorporate some sand into it to encourage draining.
Alternatively, you can mix equal parts of perlite, peat moss, and vermiculite. You could also purchase a good-quality all-purpose commercial mix that is lightweight and fast-draining.
Avoid using clay since it retains water excessively, leading to root rot.
Pro Tip: When doing potting, add some pebbles on the bottom to encourage draining.
Propagation
Angel Vines are easily propagated through stem cuttings, especially when an old parent plant is growing around.
The best time to propagate is in spring or summer when active growth occurs. For the best results, here is how you should proceed with propagation:
- Clip 3-6 inch stems with several healthy leaves.
- Remove the bottom leaves and dip them in a rooting hormone.
- Plant the stems in separate small pots filled with a suitable potting mix and cover them with plastic bags to create a mini-greenhouse effect.
- Place the pots in indirect light.
The cuttings should root in 4-6 weeks, at which point you can remove the plastic bag.
Another option for propagation is the seed method though it takes longer than others. You can harvest their succulent fruits, get the seeds and plant them in a potting mix.
Pruning
Angel Vine is fast-growing, so you need to prune it regularly. The optimal time is in spring before the onset of new growth.
Pruning off new stems encourages branching and shapes the plants as they grow. It also removes yellowing leaves and dead foliage— giving your plant a beautiful appearance.
Pinching back the tips of Angel Vine also encourages bushier growth and prevents it from being leggy.
Pest and Diseases
Common pests that affect Angel Vine include aphids, spider mites, whiteflies, and mealybugs. Prevent pest infestation by regularly inspecting the plants and keeping them free of dead and decaying matter.
In case of an infestation, you can use several methods to get rid of pests, such as:
- Rinsing
- Squishing
- Wiping them with a cotton pad dipped in alcohol
- Using suitable insecticides and pesticides
When it comes to diseases, Angel Vines are more susceptible to root rot, botrytis, leaf spot disease, southern blight, and powdery mildew.
You can control diseases through a mix of preventive and treatment methods. Organic and commercial fungicides also come in handy.
Wrap Up
Angel vine is a unique and attractive houseplant well-suited to moderate lighting and well-draining soils.
Regular watering, fertilizing, and pruning is paramount in keeping it healthy and growing well.
By following the simple care guidelines above, you can enjoy the beauty and elegance of Angel Vine in your home for years to come.
