
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
Smilax tamnoides
Smilax
Smilacaceae
Liliales
Also known as
bristly greenbrier, hellfetter, bristly greenbriar and China-root

How to care for Chinaroot

How often to water your Chinaroot

every 9
Chinaroot needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesnāt 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

Check the growing potential in your area
A plant's growing potential is determined from its location, the time of year, and current local weather.

Select a city to check sunlight intensity

Finding light for Chinaroot in your home

a window
Chinaroot love being close to bright, sunny windows š.
Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.
Chinaroot does not tolerate low-light š«.
Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Chinaroot in your home š”.

How to fertilize Chinaroot

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 itās 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 yearāwhichever comes first.

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 šŖ. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home š”.
Toxicity
Greg does not have confirmed data on this plantās toxicity. If you, a family member, or a pet consumes plant material of unknown toxicity, itās always best to consult a medical professional.
If you or someone else ingested this plant, call Poison Control atĀ US (800) 222-1222.Ā If a pet consumed this plant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA atĀ 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 itās refreshed yearly, you shouldnāt 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
Care Summary for Chinaroot
Chinaroot
Greg recommends:

0.5 cups every 9 days

< 1ft from a window

Repot after 2x growth
Based on the 4ā pot your plant is in, and that it doesnāt get direct sunlight.
