Teddy Bear Vine

The soil of Teddy Bear should be kept evenly moist, but not overly wet. If the soil drys out from top to almost 1 inch at it’s deepest it will be time to add more water, the roots may be damaged if left dry for longer periods. Testing the soil with your finger to determine its wetness is one of the best ways to determine when the plant needs to be watered.

Teddy Bear will thrive if placed in bright, indirect light, although too much direct sunlight can scorch their stems and leaves. An east facing window should provide just the right amount of light for optimal growth and beauty.

Teddy Bear vine should be kept in warm temperatures between 55 – 82 °F (13- 28°C) to thrive. Cooler temperatures will severely prevent growth.

Teddy bear vine is native to tropical climates and requires a level of humidity between 50-90% in order to remain healthy. If your home is of low humidity, you may try misting with water or keeping it topped up, as having these vines clumped will create the higher levels of humidity they crave.

Teddy Bear vines need to be planted in a well-drained soil mix. Use equal parts perlite, peat moss, and loamy potting soil for a high-quality planting medium. Alternatively, you can use a high-quality commercial potting mix when potting up your Teddy Bear.

Fertilization will help to keep the Teddy Bear looking lush and green. Fertilization should occur every month or two during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer. A liquid fertilizer diluted to one half the strength is preferable. Always be careful not to over-fertilize as this can cause severe leaf burn or even the death of your plant.

Teddy Bear is, unfortunately, not immune from the common garden pests, such as whiteflies, mealybugs, thrips, scale, and aphids. The best method of prevention is to ensure that the vine gets the level of light, humidity, and temperature that it needs, as these will go some way to protecting it. If your Teddy does have a pest problem, you can create a natural pesticide at a 1:3 ratio of garlic to water, mashing it into a paste, and then spraying wherever you see pests. Wiping down the leaves with a damp cloth will also help remove all pests present on the leaves.

Teddy Bear vines should be repotted every year, utilizing a well-draining soil and a pot that is at least double the size that it was in. Repotting gives the plant a much-needed nutrient boost and helps it grow fuller and healthier. Replace any soil that has become compacted or contains pests during the repotting process.

Pruning a Teddy Bear vine is one of the most important parts of caring for it. Pruning helps to keep the shape and size of the plant tidy and helps the plant form new shoots. The Windowpane Hedgehog Cactus is a stemless plant, producing low clusters of leaves, so it’s also important to prune any extra leaves to make way for healthy new growth.

Mulching Teddy bear vine can help protect it from the heat of the sun in the summer months, and even keep its soil cool and moist in the winter. Use an organic mulching material for your vines such as a few inches of finely chopped bark.

Teddy Bears can be propagated via stem and leaf-cuttings. The best time to take cuttings is during mid-summer when the plant is growing. Place the cutting in soil in the pot that you have selected to use for the propagation and make sure that the soil is kept moist. In just a few weeks, you will see new growth and in several months your Teddy will be ready to replant in a larger container.

Teddy Bear vines don’t require support, but, nonetheless, you may want to support its stems especially if it gets particularly tall and leafy.

Teddy bear vines are dormant in the winter months and require minimal watering during this time. They should also be kept in a cool area with minimal light exposure during these months.

Although there is no information available about the toxicity of Teddy Bear vine to pets, it is generally assumed to be nontoxic.