Sausage Vine (Holboellia coriacea)

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Sunlight Prefers dappled shade in hot summer climates; tolerates full sun in cooler temperate regions; avoid prolonged midday direct sun

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Watering Water deeply when the top 5–7 cm of soil dries out; reduce watering frequency in winter to prevent root rot

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Temperature Hardy to -10°C; grows best in temperate climates; protect young plants from severe frost damage

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Leaf: Evergreen compound leaves with 3–5 leathery, glossy oval leaflets; dark green upper surface, pale green underside
Flower: Fragrant creamy-white to pale purple bisexual flowers in pendulous axillary clusters
Stem: Woody twining stems with small aerial rootlets for climbing support
Fruit: Edible sausage-shaped pods (6–12 cm long) ripening to purple-brown in autumn

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Watering

Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged

Fertilization

Apply balanced organic feed once monthly. Avoid over-fertilizing to prevent excessive foliage growth at the expense of flowering

Composted banana peel tea：Steep 2–3 dried banana peels in 1 L water for 3 days; dilute 1:20 for root drench to avoid nutrient burn

Pruning

Prune immediately after flowering to remove dead or overcrowded stems and maintain desired shape
Thin tangled growth to improve air circulation and light penetration
Trim back long, unproductive vines in late winter to encourage new flowering growth
Tie young stems to support structures to guide climbing direction and prevent tangling

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Warning: this plant may be toxic.

Pets & Humans

Pets: No documented toxicity per ASPCA guidelines

Humans: No known toxic effects; ripe fruits are edible in moderate quantities

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Culture: N/A

Usage: Ornamental climbing vine; ripe fruits used in regional Chinese cuisine