Ayahuasca Plant Care
Banisteriopsis caapi (Spruce ex Griseb.) C.V.Morton
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Banisteriopsis caapi, also known as, caapi, soul vine, yagé (yage), or ayahuasca is a South American liana of the family Malpighiaceae. It is commonly used as an ingredient of ayahuasca, a decoction with a long history of its entheogenic use and holds status as a "plant teacher" among the Indigenous peoples of the Amazon rainforest.
Every 7–10 days
Bright indirect light
65–80°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Ayahuasca?
Water Ayahuasca every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect light. It prefers temperatures of 65–80°F (18–27°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Ayahuasca?
Ayahuasca (Banisteriopsis caapi) belongs to the Malpighiaceae family within the Banisteriopsis genus. Ayahuasca is also known as Yage, Caapi.
Ayahuasca displays a climbing vine growth habit, reaching up to 10 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Ayahuasca produces small, tubular flowers in shades of yellow, white, or pink.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Ayahuasca?
Banisteriopsis caapi requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Ayahuasca Need?
Ayahuasca thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Ayahuasca in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect light
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Ayahuasca Prefer?
Banisteriopsis caapi grows best at temperatures of 65–80°F. Ayahuasca prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
65–80°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Ayahuasca?
Well-draining, acidic soil mix with added organic matter like peat moss and pine bark. Good drainage is essential for Ayahuasca to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Ayahuasca?
Feed Ayahuasca every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Ayahuasca?
Repot annually in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Ayahuasca?
Ayahuasca can be propagated through softwood cuttings, air layering, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to banisteriopsis elegans plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Ayahuasca Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Ayahuasca, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Ayahuasca?
Ayahuasca is susceptible to spider mites, scale insects, mealybugs. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Ayahuasca Need?
Ayahuasca grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. In cooler regions, grow Ayahuasca as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13b
Keep exploring plants
Ayahuasca is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Banisteriopsis genus — compare its care with other Banisteriopsis species on PlantoScan.
Banisteriopsis is part of the Malpighiaceae plant family — browse all Malpighiaceae genera and species.
Ayahuasca thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Banisteriopsis caapi (Spruce ex Griseb.) C.V.Morton, family Malpighiaceae (first published in J. Wash. Acad. Sci. 21: 486. 1931) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Ayahuasca, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13b, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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