Woolly Balansa Grape (Vitis balansana var. tomentosa)

Image: AI generated

Woolly Balansa Grape Plant Care

Vitis balansana var. tomentosa C.L.Li

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

This plant's most distinctive visual feature is its velvety tomentose leaves, giving it a unique soft texture. Originating from the forests of southern China, Vitis balansana var. tomentosa is highly sought after by plant collectors for its rarity and interesting foliage, making it a prized addition to any collection.

🍎Fruit & Berries🍃Climbers & Vines
Water

Every 7–14 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

50–85°F

Humidity

40–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Woolly Balansa Grape?

Water Woolly Balansa Grape every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–85°F (10–29°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Woolly Balansa Grape Native To?

Native range18 countries

What Is the Woolly Balansa Grape?

Woolly Balansa Grape (Vitis balansana var. tomentosa) belongs to the Vitaceae family within the Vitis genus. Woolly Balansa Grape is native to temperate and tropical Asia.

Woolly Balansa Grape displays a vining, climbing shrub growth habit, reaching up to 20 ft tall with a spread of approximately 10 ft. Woolly Balansa Grape produces small greenish flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Woolly Balansa Grape?

Vitis balansana var. tomentosa 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 Woolly Balansa Grape Need?

Woolly Balansa Grape thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Woolly Balansa Grape Prefer?

Vitis balansana var. tomentosa grows best at temperatures of 50–85°F. Woolly Balansa Grape prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

50–85°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Woolly Balansa Grape?

Well-draining loamy soil with good organic content. Good drainage is essential for Woolly Balansa Grape to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Woolly Balansa Grape?

Feed Woolly Balansa Grape 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 Woolly Balansa Grape?

Repot every 2-3 years in early 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 Woolly Balansa Grape?

Woolly Balansa Grape can be propagated through cuttings, grafting, layering. Similar propagation techniques also apply to grape vine plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Woolly Balansa Grape Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Woolly Balansa Grape, 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 Woolly Balansa Grape?

Woolly Balansa Grape is susceptible to japanese beetles, grape leafhoppers, 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.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Woolly Balansa Grape Need?

Woolly Balansa Grape grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Woolly Balansa Grape is native to temperate and tropical Asia. In cooler regions, grow Woolly Balansa Grape as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Woolly Balansa Grape 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 Vitis genus — compare its care with other Vitis species on PlantoScan.

Vitis is part of the Vitaceae plant family — browse all Vitaceae genera and species.

Woolly Balansa Grape thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Vitis Species

Other Vitis species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Vitis balansana var. tomentosa C.L.Li, family Vitaceae (first published in Chin. J. Appl. Environ. Biol. 2(3): 240 (1996)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Woolly Balansa Grape, 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: AI-generated illustration (labelled on the image).
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, 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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