The need for green is taking root in more homes across Malaysia. Those living in landed properties or even condominium units realise a fruit tree in the garden or a potted plant on the balcony adds vitality to the home.

A creeper called Cissus Nodosa, commonly called Grape Ivy or Javanese Treebine, is all the rage at the moment. This forest dweller is good for covering trellises and overhead landscape structures.

“The beauty of this plant is that once it is mature and has spread over the top of a structure, its light brown air roots come down. It can look very pretty if you trim them all to the same length,” says Libby Koay, landscape designer and founder of Greeniche Sdn Bhd.

Libby, who has been in the landscaping industry since 1998, started Greeniche in 2001, and specialises in individual home projects though she does do institutional projects on request.

She shares with haven the secret to growing a nice green canopy.

The first step, she says, is to find a strong starter stem. “You have to choose a starter stem from an old plant that is 1cm in diameter and has a bit of woodiness to it [1],” says Libby. “Cut about a foot of it, stick it into a container full of soil and water it with a root stimulant fertiliser for two weeks.”

Once the roots appear, transplant the stem either to a planter box or a well-tilled garden bed. “I find that the plant does well in semi-shaded areas. Because it is a forest species, it is used to having a little bit of filtered sunlight through the gaps in the forest canopy,” says Libby.

She suggests a potting premix for minimal fuss.

“The soil has to be moist all the time, so you have to keep it well watered [2],” she says. The ideal times to water this plant are before 11am and after 4pm. Those who find this watering regime tough to follow can use water crystals, which absorb large amounts of water, to ensure continual moisture.

To ensure that the snails do not get to the tender shoots of this succulent plant, snail poison is recommended. Also, plant fertiliser is necessary for the plant to get all its essential nutrients.

Once in the ground or planter box, the next step is to ensure it has enough support for its upward climb.

“The secret of growing this plant successfully is the support,” says Libby. “Strong fishing wire can be used for this purpose [3].”

Note that the plant can grow an inch a day, and in rainy weather it grows even faster so whatever material you use for the vertical support must be strong enough to take the weight of the plant.

As for the overhead structure, one can use cables, wooden trellises or beams. “You can even reuse old grills as support structures,” Libby says. Once the plant has covered the grill, you would hardly notice what it is.

If all goes well and your Cissus  Nodosa has come into its own, then the tending to the air roots is important to ensure a comely effect.

“You should prune it once a week so it looks neat and pretty. Just as you want your hairdo to look immaculate all the time, same thing for this plant.

Just give it a trim to make sure the air roots have an even length [4],” Libby says.

After the plant has spread itself out overhead, providing shade and a green roof, maintenance is essential by watering it daily and also ensuring the right pesticides are used.

The Cissus Nodosa is not for the careless gardener, so if you are one of those people who can kill even a cactus, you might want to give this plant a miss.

This article appeared in haven, Issue #44, August + September 2010, the deco and garden publication of The Edge Malaysia