Guarana Plant Care
Paullinia cupana Kunth
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Guaraná is a climbing plant in the family Sapindaceae, native to the Amazon basin and especially common in Brazil. Guaraná has large leaves and clusters of flowers, and is best known for the seeds from its beans, which are about the size of a coffee bean.
Bright indirect light
At a glance
How do you care for Guarana?
Guarana grows best in bright indirect light.
Where Is the Guarana Native To?
What Is the Guarana?
Guarana (Paullinia cupana) belongs to the Sapindaceae family within the Paullinia genus. Guarana is native to the Amazon basin and especially common in Brazil.
Guarana displays a climbing vine growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Guarana produces small, greenish-white flowers in clusters.
What Light Does the Guarana Need?
Guarana thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Guarana in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect light
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Guarana?
Well-draining, rich loamy soil with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Guarana to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Guarana?
Repot every 1-2 years 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 Guarana?
Guarana can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to brownish paullinia plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Guarana Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Guarana, 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 Guarana?
Guarana is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, spider mites. 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.
Keep exploring plants
Guarana 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 Paullinia genus — compare its care with other Paullinia species on PlantoScan.
Paullinia is part of the Sapindaceae plant family — browse all Sapindaceae genera and species.
Guarana 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: Paullinia cupana Kunth, family Sapindaceae (first published in Nov. Gen. Sp. 5: 117 (1821)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Guarana, 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.
- 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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