The teddy bear vine – Cyanotis Kewensis [Sy-an-NOH-tiss Kew-EN-sis] synonym Cyanotis beddomei is a distinctive houseplant native to South Africa.
It has trailing or spreading stems covered with unique fuzzy, tear-drop shaped, chocolate brown leaves.
Due to its’ foliage soft texture, this plant has earned teddy bear vine as its common name. It also is known by the synonym Cyanotis beddomei.
The growth shape of the plant makes it ideal for growing in a small hanging basket or containers, or even on any flat surface where it can horizontally grow.
There isn’t a need to worry about this plant growing out of bounds since it is rather slow-growing.
Teddy Bear Vine Care
Size & Growth
The teddy bear vine plant resembles a small fuzzy wandering jew and grows up to 6” – 8” inches tall with a spread up to 12” – 24” inches
Flowering and Fragrance
It sprouts flowers during late spring, summer, and late summer and early fall.
The flowers are hardly an inch in size and are mostly in the mauve shade.
Some also produce blue-violet or pinkish purple colored flowers.
Light & Temperature
Cyanotis Kewensis prefer to be placed in a bright or medium-light spot.
In most of the area, this plant can tolerate direct sun through a window.
However, this is ideal in the morning (east-facing window plants) and not in the afternoon because a harsher amount of sunlight can start burning its foliage.
Like the majority of houseplants, the teddy bear vine can easily grow under typical fluorescent lights and plant lights.
These plants can flourish in normal room temperatures, but they prefer high humidity.
Put this plant on a tray filled with warm pebbles to keep it humid.
The ideal temperature for this plant is 60° – 80° degrees Fahrenheit (15° C – 27° C).
It can still tolerate the cold temperatures, a minimum of 50° degrees Fahrenheit (10° C) without experiencing any damage.
Watering and Feeding
Water Cyanotis Kewensis if you feel the top inch or so of the soil has become dry.
This plant would rather be consistently drier as compared to consistently wet for a long time.
Since the teddy bear vine plant actively grows all through the year without having a resting period, moderately water it during all seasons.
Occasionally letting the soil dry out is beneficial for the plant and can enhance the color of the leaves.
Fertilize Cyanotis beddomei to enhance its growth.
The ideal feed time for this plant is usually during the spring and summer seasons.
It’s best to utilize a general-purpose houseplant fertilizer.
Make sure you check the instructions on the packaging before feeding the plant.
However, keep in mind you should not overdo the fertilizing.
Being an ever-growing plant, it needs a feed once every two months, no more.
Liquid fertilizer is the ideal fertilizer for Cyanotis Kewensis.
Soil & Transplanting
Cyanotis Kewensis prefers enriched and even ordinary soil which is mildly alkaline to mildly acidic.
It’s not necessary to repot this plant since it is sparse for ornamental leaf plants to spread too much.
If your teddy bear vine has gotten old, then they should be repotted after every five years in a new mixture.
In the majority of the cases, there is no need for a larger pot.
Grooming and Maintenance
This plant doesn’t require much grooming and maintenance.
Trim off the stems if you don’t want them to grow too long.
Place this plant in a location with sufficient light but avoid direct sunlight.
Watering once a week is fine since it doesn’t need a lot of water to grow.
How To Propagate Cyanotis Teddy Bear Vine
This plant is propagated through tip cuttings.
All you need to do is cut off a stem which has about three pairs of leaves.
Cut off the bottom leaves of the cutting and place it in your mixture.
Regularly mist the soil to enhance rooting and growth.
Once the plant starts growing, go back to the usual watering schedule.
Cyanotis Pest Or Disease Problems
If the teddy bear vine is constantly moist or stays in cool temperature for a prolonged period, its roots will start rotting.
Since Cyanotis species are typically robust, the plant’s vulnerable to pest infections if placed in the wrong location.
The Teddybear gets attacked by mildew and fungi, which can result in leaf damage.
The major threat, however, for this plant is low temperatures and too much watering.
Therefore, it is essential you make sure to place this plant in the right location and water moderately.
Suggested Uses For Cyanotis Vine
There are numerous uses of the teddy bear vine plant.
The ideal usage is as a houseplant, and perfect for kids. It also works well in rock gardens, container gardens, hanging baskets, and placed in any nook to brighten it up.
This plant also attracts butterflies!