Arizona grape ivy is an attractive vine that thrives in a wide variety of conditions in the wild, which means it’s not fussy in desert gardens. Here’s everything you need to know about growing this native of Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.
Arizona grape ivy (Cissus trifoliata) is a fast-growing, deciduous vine with shiny, fleshy, dark green leaves.
In late spring to early summer, clusters of 50 to 80 inconspicuous, light-green flowers appear.
Flowers are followed by green fruits that ripen to dark purple. The fruits resemble clusters of grapes, but are not edible, although birds and other small animals do enjoy them. It’s also a larval host for several species of moths.
This adaptable, low maintenance vine tolerates a wide range of conditions. It naturally grows in shrublands, stream banks, open woodlands, disturbed areas, roadsides, sandy washes, and rocky canyons.
Consequently, it’s not picky about soil type or sun exposure when planted in the garden. Give it a moderate amount of water, and it should be happy.
And unlike true grapes, it’s not prone to pests or diseases.
Why I Like This Plant
- Attractive foliage, colorful fruits
- Grows fast
- Resilient, low maintenance
- Not prone to pests or diseases
- Supports wildlife
Things to Watch Out For
Don’t let the word “grape” in the common name fool you. This plant is not a true grape and does not produce edible fruits.
The trilobed leaves remind me of poison ivy. But while touching the leaves can cause contact dermatitis in some people, it’s relatively benign.
The leaves smell unpleasant when crushed and the roots are toxic.
Optimal Growing Conditions
If you’re thinking of adding Arizona grape ivy to your garden, you need to find a suitable place that will keep it healthy and looking good… while minimizing maintenance for you.
Here are the key factors to keep in mind.
Temperature
Arizona grape ivy should be grown in USDA Hardiness Zones 6 – 10. It’s not a desert native and should not be planted in the hottest spot in your garden.
It’s considered deciduous and loses its leaves when the temperature dips into the twenties, but can retain its leaves through mild, frost-free winters. When it loses its leaves in the winter, it leafs out quickly in the spring.
Sun Exposure
Arizona grape ivy is not particular about sun exposure. It can tolerate full sun to full shade, but performs best in the desert in part or dappled shade. It may struggle when planted along a hot, sunny wall where it will be exposed to reflected heat.
Size and Growth Rate
Arizona grape ivy is a fast-grower that typically reaches 15 to 30 feet tall and 5 to 10 feet wide. Its ultimate size depends on how it’s watered and pruned, and how much it dies back in the winter.
Soil
Arizona grape ivy is not particular about soil and grows well in any desert soil that is well-draining. In its native habitat, it grows in sandy washes, rocky canyons, and in the moist soil along river banks.
Other Location Considerations
This twining vine climbs by tendrils and readily grows up any nearby support structure, such as a trellis, lattice, ramada, pergola, or fence.
When unsupported, it will form a sprawling ground cover. In its native habitat, it can be found climbing up trees or scrambling over boulders and shrubs.
Arizona Grape Ivy:
The Essentials
| Common Name | Arizona grape ivy |
| Scientific Name | Cissus trifoliata |
| Origin | Mexico |
| Plant Type | Deciduous vine |
| USDA Zones | Zones 6 – 10 |
| Cold Hardiness | To -10℉ |
| Flower Color | Light green |
| Flower Season | Spring, summer |
| Mature Size | 30′ high x 10′ wide |
| Growth Rate | Fast |
| Sun Tolerance | Full sun to full shade |
| Water Needs | Moderate |
| Pests & Diseases | None |
| Garden Friendly | No thorns |
| Wildlife | Attracts bees, moths |
How to Plant
The rule of thumb when planting any vine in the desert is to dig a hole three times as wide as the root ball but no deeper.
Amending the soil is not recommended unless you know your soil drains poorly. Counterintuitively, backfilling with the same native soil you just dug up helps your plant develop a stronger root system.
When to Plant
The best time to plant Arizona grape ivy is in the fall. This gives it three seasons to grow roots and get established before the following summer.
The second best time is in spring, the earlier the better. This still gives your vine time to get established before the intense heat of June arrives.
How to Care for Arizona Grape Ivy
Whether you’ve recently planted an Arizona grape ivy or have an existing plant in your yard, here’s how to take care of it to keep it healthy and looking its best.
How to Water New Vines
Once you’ve got your Arizona grape ivy in the ground, watering is your most immediate concern. Here’s a recommended watering schedule for new vines planted in the spring or fall.
| Weeks 1 & 2 | Every 3 – 4 days |
| Weeks 3 & 4 | Every 6 – 7 days |
| Weeks 5 & 6 | Every 7 – 10 days |
| Weeks 7 & 8 | Every 10 – 14 days |
After week 8, gradually revise your watering schedule, depending on the season.
How to Water Established Plants
As a riparian species, Arizona grape ivy needs a moderate, rather than low, amount of water. Here’s a recommended watering schedule for subsequent years.
| Spring & Fall | Every 10 – 14 days |
| Summer | Every 7 – 10 days |
| Winter | Every 14 – 21 days |
While plants can survive on less water, they look their best when watered regularly, especially during the summer. Plants that grow in full sun need more water than those that grow in the shade.
Should You Fertilize?
There is no need to fertilize Arizona grape ivy. It grows rampantly without fertilizer.
How to Prune
Prune your Arizona grape ivy back in late winter or early spring before new growth appears to reinvigorate it and remove any cold damage.
You can prune lightly or extensively as needed to control its size.
Plant Lover Facts
Arizona grape ivy (Cissus trifoliata) goes by many other common names, some rather intriguing — cow itch vine, sorrelvine, vine sorrel, grape ivy, possum grape vine, possum grape, marine ivy, and marine vine.
Its common name is a mystery to me since…
- It’s named after Arizona, but only grows in the sky islands in the southeastern corner of the state. It is more common in Texas than in Arizona.
- It’s not a grape. (True grapes belong to the Vitis genus). However, it does belong to the grape family, Vitaceae.
- It’s not an ivy. (True ivies belong to the Hedera genus.)
In the US, its large native range extends from southeast Arizona east to Georgia. It extends south through Mexico, Central America, and northern South America.
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Author Bio
Deane Alban is the creator of Southwest Gardener. She is a science writer with a bachelor’s degree in botany from the University of South Florida. Gardening is her lifelong passion. She’s been gardening in Tucson for over 15 years.
