Photo: no rights reservedCC0 1.0via iNaturalist
Four-stamen Stephania Plant Care
Stephania tetrandra S.Moore
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Stephania tetrandra is a vine with heart-shaped leaves that are dark green and glossy. Originating from China and Taiwan, this plant is highly sought after by collectors for its unique climbing habit and medicinal properties. Its ability to reach impressive heights makes it a stunning addition to any indoor garden or botanical collection.
Every 7–14 days
Bright indirect light
65–80°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Four-stamen Stephania?
Water Four-stamen Stephania every 7–14 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 month during the growing season.
What Is the Four-stamen Stephania?
Four-stamen Stephania (Stephania tetrandra) belongs to the Menispermaceae family within the Stephania genus. Four-stamen Stephania is native to southern China, Hainan, Taiwan, and Vietnam.
Four-stamen Stephania displays a twining vine or climbing shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Four-stamen Stephania produces small, inconspicuous flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Four-stamen Stephania?
Stephania tetrandra requires watering every 7–14 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 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Four-stamen Stephania Need?
Four-stamen Stephania thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Four-stamen Stephania in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect light
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Four-stamen Stephania Prefer?
Stephania tetrandra grows best at temperatures of 65–80°F. Four-stamen Stephania 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 Four-stamen Stephania?
Well-draining, fertile soil with added organic matter like compost. Good drainage is essential for Four-stamen Stephania to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Four-stamen Stephania?
Feed Four-stamen Stephania every month 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 month
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Four-stamen Stephania?
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 Four-stamen Stephania?
Four-stamen Stephania can be propagated through by seeds or stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to abyssinian stephania plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Four-stamen Stephania Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Four-stamen Stephania, 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 Four-stamen Stephania?
Four-stamen Stephania is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, 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 Four-stamen Stephania Need?
Four-stamen Stephania grows outdoors in USDA Zone 9a – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 9a. Four-stamen Stephania is native to southern China, Hainan, Taiwan, and Vietnam. In cooler regions, grow Four-stamen Stephania as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 9a – 11b
Keep exploring plants
Four-stamen Stephania 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 Stephania genus — compare its care with other Stephania species on PlantoScan.
Stephania is part of the Menispermaceae plant family — browse all Menispermaceae genera and species.
Four-stamen Stephania thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Stephania Species
Other Stephania species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Stephania tetrandra S.Moore, family Menispermaceae (first published in J. Bot. 13: 225 (1875)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Four-stamen Stephania, 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.
- Photo: Public domain, CC0 1.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 9a – 11b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- 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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