Native to South Africa, Cape Ivy is a perennial vine that forms dense mats of vegetation as it climbs trees and shrubs. It is considered a noxious weed and has become invasive in some areas. The vine has two to four multilobed leaves that somewhat resemble Hedera helix (English Ivy). This plant reproduces by seed as well as vegetatively when the stolons touch the ground and take root.

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Delairea odorata, possibly better known as Cape Ivy, is one of two trailing plants that give my green thumb grandmother a hard time. Since I've had D. odorata in my care, I've noticed that it likes a bit more water than many of my similarly-sized plants.

My research indicates that D. odorata "prefers to grow in wetter temperate regions, but will also occasionally be found in cooler sub-tropical environments" ( https://keyserver.lucidcentral... - Weeds of Australia, 2016), which is most aptly summed up by the quote provided, but is supported by both my observations and additional research I have done. Delairea odorata is, perhaps, more inclined to moist habitats than many other "ivy" plants.

I like to water relatively often and spritz the leaves of D. odorata between waterings. So far, my plants have been thriving under these conditions, and my grandmother's ailing cape ivy specimen has come back from the brink under similar care.

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