Description and names of climbing indoor plants (+24 photos)

Climbing plants are a hardy and easy-to-grow ornamental plant that has long been popular among gardeners and interior designers. Florists use climbing plants to create "green" nooks and phytowalls, adding zest and coziness to any space.

Climbing houseplants come in a wide variety, which you can learn more about by learning their names and botanical characteristics, as well as looking at photos of the flowers.

Distinctive features of climbing indoor plants

Climbing plants are excellent decorations and add fresh accents to any interior. Many flower varieties belong to different taxonomic groups, despite some similarities between them.

As a rule, climbing plants are undemanding and require little attention. They're fairly easy to care for; even a novice gardener can easily grow a climbing plant in their own home.

However, despite the ease of vines, some gardeners face watering issues due to the fact that the flowers are planted high up, causing water to run off onto the floor. To prevent puddles from forming on the floor, many experienced gardeners place a rubber cap or plastic bag over the bottom of the plant, removing it an hour after watering.

However, this watering method is completely unsuitable for vines growing on walls. In this case, you can place a few ice cubes on the plant's soil; as they melt, they will supply the entire plant with the necessary moisture.

As a rule, most vines are moisture-loving plants that require not only regular watering, but also misting of the leaves, especially during the warm season and in dry indoor climates.

Most varieties of vines are shade-loving plants that don't tolerate direct sunlight well. Therefore, it's recommended to place these plants in the corners of the room.

When planting such crops, soil drainage is crucial. Expanded clay is ideal for this purpose, allowing the vine to receive moisture evenly. Vines come in small-leaved, large-leaved, and flowering varieties.

Photos and names of decorative small-leaved climbing flowers

Cissus, scindapsus, and ivy are the most popular indoor plants from the group of small-leaved ornamental vines. These plants are distinguished by their small, decorative, brightly colored leaves that will brighten up any room.

Cissus

Cissus is not just a single plant species, but an entire genus of plants in the grape family, comprising over 300 varieties. However, only two species of the genus Cissus are grown for ornamental purposes: Cissus rhombifolia and Cissus antarctica.

Cissus, or indoor grape, is a climbing vine that clings to and securely attaches to a support using tendrils. Cissus is one of the most undemanding vines, quickly developing a robust foliage mass, transforming a small seedling into a verdant carpet.

To ensure rapid growth, cissus requires good lighting, but no direct sunlight, and regular watering. During dry and hot periods, water the plant twice a week and mist it every 7 days.

The flower is distinguished by bright green leaves, which may have silvery specks on their surface. The undersides of the leaves may also be pink.

Scindapsus

Scindapsus is a unique climbing plant that can grow in virtually any lighting conditions. It thrives equally well both near a window and in a dark corner of a room. However, when choosing variegated varieties, keep in mind that insufficient light can cause the leaves to lose their variegation. Scindapsus leaves are heart-shaped and vibrant green, with or without light spots.

This flower is known for its rapid growth, as its shoots can extend more than 1 m in just 12 months. To ensure the scindapsus climbs as smoothly as possible, you can trim the ends of its shoots.

During the warmer months, the flower thrives at room temperature, but in winter, it's best to move the scindapsus to a cooler room. The plant requires regular watering and liquid fertilizer.

Ivy

Ivy is an evergreen vine that makes a wonderful window and wall decoration. Ivy, or Hedera, is an easy-to-grow plant with decorative, glossy foliage that can be pointed or star-shaped. Its leaves can be either solid or variegated. The undersides of its leaves have suckers that help it attach to vertical surfaces and supports.

Ivy thrives in shade and even grows in dry rooms. However, variegated varieties of ivy must be grown in a well-lit area; otherwise, the plant will lose its unique coloring and become monochromatic.

Although the plant can survive drought conditions, it's best to ensure regular and ample watering while growing it. Experienced gardeners recommend misting the plant's foliage at least several times a week. During the active growth period, ivy should be fertilized every 14 days with a fertilizer designed for ornamental foliage plants.

Ivy is a poisonous flower, which must be taken into account when growing it in rooms where children or animals live.

Ornamental large-leaved species

The most common large-leaved ornamental vines include monstera, syngonium, and philodendron. This category includes plants distinguished by their large leaves, which make a wonderful addition and decoration to any design, adding a touch of drama to a room or office.

Monstera

Monstera is a light-loving vine that will burn if exposed to direct sunlight. Therefore, the plant should be kept in conditions that only receive diffused light.

The flower is distinguished by its large, green, jagged foliage. The cuts on the leaves appear over time and can extend all the way to the central vein. Young specimens, however, have entire, heart-shaped leaves. Monstera can reach a height of 3 meters.

Monstera has thick aerial roots on its stems, which help the plant climb its support. However, when the plant's aerial roots become too long, they need to be driven deeper into the soil and rooted, which will allow the monstera to receive additional nutrition.

Monstera appreciates regular and abundant watering, especially during dry periods. However, it's not particularly demanding when it comes to light and can grow in both well-lit, filtered light and partial shade.

Syngonium

Syngonium is a vine with several ornamental varieties, each distinguished by their leaf color. The arrow-shaped, later lobed, dissected leaves can be completely white or green. However, the most popular varieties are those with variegated leaves. In an apartment or office, syngonium can grow up to one and a half meters tall.

The flower has thin stems on which aerial roots appear, helping the signonium to cling to any ledge or support.

The plant thrives in good light, regular watering, and misting of the foliage. In extremely dry conditions, the syngonium's foliage begins to dry out.

Syngonium is poisonous, for this reason it must be grown in places inaccessible to children and animals.

Philodendron

Philodendron is a climbing vine whose leaves can grow more than 10 cm long. The dark green leaves of the philodendron have a smooth surface and are heart-shaped.

The vine grows best when tied to supports along a wall. Otherwise, it's easy to grow and requires little care. It's shade-tolerant and relatively drought-resistant, allowing it to thrive in dark corners of a room with adequate watering.

Ornamental flowering plants

The most common ornamental flowering plants include azarina, trailing begonia, and cobea. Flowering vines are typically used to decorate shelves, bookcases, and windowsills.

Azarina

Azaria is a garden flower, but it is also widely grown indoors. The plant comes in several varieties, each producing vibrant tubular flowers in pink or purple.

The azarina is an annual flower that, under good conditions, can live for about two years. This climber requires plenty of warmth and light and is a moisture-loving plant.

In order for the azarin to grow intensively, it needs to be supported by a trellis, which will also highlight its beautiful flowering.

Ampelous begonia

The trailing begonia is considered the most beautiful climbing flower, thanks to its delicate, dense foliage and lush buds in a variety of colors. This climber is also one of the most demanding flowers, requiring considerable time and effort to care for.

With proper care, begonia will delight you with its lush flowering all summer long, right up until autumn.

Begonias should be kept in a warm, bright room, but avoid direct sunlight. When caring for begonias, it's important to maintain consistent watering, as over- or under-watering will negatively impact flowering.

Kobeya

Cobea is a delicate vine most often used to decorate gardens or balconies. However, some ornamental plant enthusiasts successfully grow cobea indoors.

Cobea flowers are bell-shaped and come in a wide variety of colors. The vine has tendrils that attach it to a trellis, creating a colorful wall of blooms. However, after flowering, the plant should be moved to a dry, cool location.

Cobea requires regular watering, fertilizing, and pruning, as only constant care can preserve the flower's decorative appearance.

Frequently asked questions about growing

Climbing plants are decorative flowers that can effectively decorate any room, adding zest and sophistication without much effort on the part of the gardener.