Mexican Flame Vine

The Mexican Flame Vine has a very different relationship with water than many other house plants. Keep the soil lightly moist but allow the top few inches to dry between watering. Water directly into the soil near the stem without fear of overwatering, but letting it become too dry can cause it to wilt drastically. Planting in a pot with holes at the bottom is best as it will help avoid overwatering. If the leaves become wilted, a thorough watering can refresh the appearance quickly.

The Mexican Flame Vine should be placed in a spot where it can get bright indirect sunlight. Direct sunlight, while beneficial to this plant, can cause stress, leading it to droop or new leaves to be bleached if exposed for too long. If kept indoors, placing it near a south-facing window is ideal - if kept outdoors, make sure it is sheltered from the sun in partial shade.

This plant loves temperatures between 65-75°F (18-23°C). In cooler months your Mexican Flame Vine can deal with temperatures as low as 45°F (7°C). Above this it will start to suffer from heat stress, indicated by wilting and yellowed leaves. Temperatures above 80°F (27°C) should be avoided.

The Mexican Flame vine is a big humidity lover and will thrive in higher levels of humidity. If humidity levels chronically drop too low for the plant, its growth could become stunted. If the atmosphere feels too dry, increase humidity levels by misting the plant, adding a pebble trays or a humidifier. In order to prevent the possibility of attack from pests it is important to regularly mist the foliage.

Mexican Flame Vine will do best in a potting soil that is light, airy and well-aerated. You can also mix in some organic material or perlite to help enhance the drainage and aeration of the soil. For pots without holes, create an even mix of half bark/half soil.

Your Mexican Flame Vine should be fertilized every month during the spring and summer months. An all-purpose liquid fertilizer diluted by half is ideal and the frequency can be reduced to every few months in the winter. Over fertilizing can lead to stress and yellowing leaves. It should also be repotted into fresh soil at the beginning of the new season.

The Mexican Flame Vine is not necessarily prone to pests, but it is possible for it to be attacked by common pests such as aphids, mealy bugs, scale, thrips, whitefly, and spider mites. To get rid of these pests, inspect the plant regularly and look for small insects or webs on the foliage. To remove them, use a cotton swab or soft cloth to wipe the affected areas or spray the foliage evenly with a natural indoor plant insecticide. To prevent future attacks make sure to increase humidity levels and avoid overwatering.

Mexican Flame Vine does not need to be repotted on a regular basis unless it has become pot-bound. The best time to repot your Mexican Flame Vine is at the beginning of the spring season, when the plant is starting to come out of its rest period and flowering has not yet begun. Repotting should always be done in a pot that is slightly larger and heavier than the previous one, with a fresh layer of well drained soil added to the new pot. Ensure that the pot you choose is properly draining to avoid any overwatering dangers.

Mexican Flame Vine does not necessarily require regular pruning and usually vigor and growth should be enough to easily keep it in check. However, if it gets too big, you can use pruning shears or secateurs to cut off the tops of any of the stems that are overgrowing. Make sure to make clean cuts and spray the cuts with healing hormone to help them grow back quicker.

Once the soil is set in the pot, the top layer can be covered with a one inch thick layer of mulch or compost to help preserve moisture in the soil. If using bark scraps make sure they are smaller pieces and for compost be sure to mix it in with the soil.

The best way to propagate Mexican Flame Vine is through stem cuttings. Take cuttings in the early spring when the plant is just starting to come out of its winter dormancy and the new growth has not yet begun. Take a three to four-inch cutting at a 45-degree angle and remove the lower leaves that will be in the soil. Plant the cutting in a well-draining pot, using the same soil mix as before. Keep the soil lightly moist and mist the foliage regularly. Once the plants have taken root and are established, transplant them into individual pots.

Mexican Flame Vine does best with some support. As it climbs it needs something to cling to, therefore a trellis or classic obelisk will work perfectly. If no support is available, you can train it to go around a hula hoop or a piece of dowel securely placed in the soil.

During the winter months, the Mexican Flame Vine does not need as much water or light as it does during the summer season and as such a rest period should be respected. Let the soil dry out to almost bone-dry between watering, keep it away from direct light, and reduce misting to once a week rather than daily.

Yes, the Mexican Flame Vine is poisonous to cats and dogs if ingested. If you have pets in the house, take care to ensure they cannot access the plant or its flowers.