Snail vine plants can be propagated through cuttings or seeds and should be overwintered indoors. It is highly pest and disease-resistant but can develop yellow or brown leaves if undernourished or overexposed to sunlight.
Light
Snail vine plants grow well in full or partial sun. However, full sun in a warm growing zone might dehydrate, so pay attention to potential wilting or drying. If you’re perennializing your snail vine, choose a spot that gets between three and four hours of direct sun, preferably in the morning. Dappled shade is a good option too.
Soil
Snail vine plants tolerate somewhat rich, loamy, well-drained soil. Slightly acidic soil is best.
Water
The snail vine plant grows best with regular irrigation. Water deeply when the top two inches of the soil have dried out. Misting your snail vine is beneficial to keeping blossoms healthy.
Temperature and Humidity
Snail vine plants prefer a humid, tropical environment and will die in cold winter weather. It requires a minimum temperature of 59°F.
Fertilizer
To promote healthy growth, you can add compost and peat moss to the soil of a snail vine plant.
Pruning
If growing as a perennial, the snail vine plant benefits from regular pruning to eliminate dead foliage and scraggly vines. You can trim your snail vine all season to help control vigorous growth. Trim back to the new wood in the spring, keeping a few strong vines viable until it starts producing new growth.
Propagating Snail Vine Plants
Snail vine plants grow well from cuttings in late summer. Propagating helps create genetic uniformity in your planting. Here’s how to propagate snail vine plants from cuttings:
How to Grow Snail Vine Plants From Seed
While you can propagate snail vine plants from cuttings, planting from seeds tends to be more successful. Here’s how:
Overwintering
The snail vine plant cannot survive outdoors in cold weather and should be overwintered indoors. Place the plant in a warm, indoor location near a sunny window that receives sun daily.
Common Pests & Diseases
Snail vine plants are generally resistant to pests but can attract aphids. However, they are pollinated by ants. Interfering with this process will keep the plant from producing seeds. Snail vine plants can develop root rot but are considered disease-resistant.
How to Get Snail Vine Plants to Bloom
Snail vine blossoms begin as creamy snail shell-shaped white buds and then unfurl to bright colors, including lavender, pink, coral, and purple. The flowers are fragrant, producing a scent similar to hyacinth and wisteria. Bloom appears rapidly between summer and fall, and deadheading throughout promotes healthy flowers and vigorous growth.
Common Problems With Snail Vine Plants
The snail vine plant is considered very low maintenance. Still, it can develop discolored leaves.
Yellowing Leaves
If you notice yellow leaves on your snail vine plant, it probably suffers from dehydration or lack of nutrients. Lacking nutrients may include magnesium, potassium, or sulfur. Adjust your watering regimen or consider lightly applying nutrient-rich fertilizer to your plant and watch for improvement.
Browning Leaves
Browning leaves on a snail vine plant can indicate overexposure to the sun. Consider relocating your plant to an area that receives more shade. Sunburn can kill your plant if unaddressed.
