Chinaroot

About Chinaroot

Bristly Greenbrier is a climbing, prickly vine that uses tendrils to climb over shrubs or the lower branches of trees. The species is dioecious so both male and female plants must be grown in order to produce seed.

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Smilax tamnoides

Genus

Smilax

Family

Smilacaceae

Order

Liliales

Also known as

bristly greenbrier, hellfetter, bristly greenbriar and China-root

How to care for Chinaroot

💦 Water

How often to water your Chinaroot

Chinaroot needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Chinaroot in your home

Chinaroot love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Chinaroot does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Chinaroot in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Chinaroot

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Chinaroot: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Chinaroot after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

💡 FAQs

⭐ Difficulty Level

Chinaroot can be challenging to care for, according to some plant parents. Check out the reviews down below to learn from their experiences!

💦 Water Needs

Chinaroot prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Chinaroot requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Greg does not have confirmed data on this plant’s toxicity. If you, a family member, or a pet consumes plant material of unknown toxicity, it’s always best to consult a medical professional.

If you or someone else ingested this plant, call Poison Control at US (800) 222-1222. If a pet consumed this plant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA at US (888) 426-4435.

🪴 Soil

Chinaroot is very sensitive to dry soil, so choose a potting soil that retains moisture. A good soil will still drain well and contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir or sphagnum moss.

💩 Fertilizer

Chinaroot should be repotted after it doubles in size or once a year, whichever comes first. Fresh potting soil has all the nutrients your plant needs, so as long as it’s refreshed yearly, you shouldn’t need to use fertilizer. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Chinaroot is a naturally climbing plant and can be trained to climb indoors if you provide a moss pole or trellis. The newest growth will emerge from the end of the stems.

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Chinaroot can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 4a-8b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

🌱 Propagation

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.