I am on a one woman quest to make the Black-eyed Susan vine (botamical name - Thunbergia alata) as popular as the super-needy impatiens or the mundane marigolds.
Are you with me?
They. Are. Gorgeous. Period.
This old-fashioned beauty grows extremely quickly and is very easy to care for, making it a favorite in my garden every year. It is just as much at home climbing up a trellis as it is cascading down a hanging basket.
As a bonus, the vines attract all sorts of pollinators including bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.
Seriously, if you've never tried growing one of these you are missing out.
How To Grow Black-Eyed Susan Vine
- Hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 10-12 (grown as a perennial in southern Florida, Hawaii, etc)
- Grown as a annual in cooler hardiness zones (I grow mine as an annual in Ohio)
- Prefers full sun with light afternoon shade
- Water regularly (if grown in a hanging basket do not let the pot dry out)
- A trellis or stake will be needed, because they sort of go nuts
- You can either purchased vines from the store already growing in pots or grow your own plants from seeds.
Growing From Seed
Although you can find the vines in containers and hanging baskets at most big box hardware stores and garden centers, they tend to come in basic yellow or orange. For some of the more non-traditional varieties you will need to grow them from seed.
But good news, these vines are VERY EASY to grow from seeds!
You can start indoors in biodegradable (paper or peat) pots 6-8 weeks prior to your last frost date. Or simply sow outside when soil temps rise above 60 degrees.
Plants normally emerge 10-14 days after planting.
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Varieties Available
There are MANY varieties of Black-eyed Susan Vines, but some of my favorites are:
Sunrise Yellow - the traditional bright yellow color
Arizona Rose - GORGEOUS rich rose pink
Tangerine Slice A-Peel - red and orange bicolor (the petals are striped looking)
Bright Eyes - white blooms with dark centers
Superstar Orange - very traditional orange with dark eye
Susie Mix - mixture of orange, yellow and white flowers on one plant
Arizona Glow - fiery orange/red with dark brown eye
Where To Buy Black-Eyed Susan Vine Seeds:
I get quite a few people emailing me about where they can buy Black-eyed Susan vines. I buy mine locally, but considering you all don't live right around the block from me, I did find Black-eyed Susan vine seeds for sale online HERE.
And if you are need a trellis, I located a similar wooden trellis HERE or a white PVC coated trellis HERE.
Black-Eyed Susan Vine not blooming?
Black-eyed Susan vine does go through a period in the dead of summer heat (late-July and August) when it tends to slow down on producing blooms. As soon as cooler weather starts back up again in September it should start to bloom again in force.
Other than that, make sure your plant is in full sun, you are watering it sufficiently and you are not over-fertilizing it. Too much nitrogen can cause plants to produce more foliage and less blooms.
Common Pests And Diseases
Occasionally spider mites or whiteflies may infest your vines, but that is rare. If you do get an infestation it can be easily controlled with an insecticidal soap. In 10 years of growing Black-eyed Susan Vines I have not had this problem yet (knock on wood).
How many Black-eyed Susan vines do you put in a planter?
- In your average sized hanging basket (10-12") you would plant 2-3 single plants.
- In larger urns you would plant 4-5 depending on the size of your container.
- I always err on the side of the more the merrier, but when you have trouble finding the urn under all those gorgeous yellow blooms come July . . .
Companion Plants For Black Eyed Susan Vine
Any low growing purple or dark blue plant looks AMAZING with the yellow Black-eyed Susan vines, such as Salvia, a purple Veronica (Speedwell) variety such as Royal Candles Speedwell or a purple African Daisy (Osteospermum).
This year I planted Victoria Blue salvia (an annual in these parts) at the bottom on the trellis.
You can also grow another vine along with it such as purple hyacinth bean vine or morning glories if you'd like the color to intertwine all the way up the trellis (or down the hanging basket if you go that way).
Other Gardening Ideas you might enjoy:
How To Grow Peonies Your Neighbor Will Envy
Musings from Kim K.
Gorgeous blooms. Best wishes with your new schedule this week while Max is at camp. I'm sure the week will fly by!
Shabby chic Sandy
Those flowers look so pretty! They are a happy little flower. I need some.
I understand how you feel but please don't have a breakdown. Max will be fine. Us Mom's think we are the only ones who can care for our precious children but truth is there are other people who can do it too. Not as well as we do though (of course). Enjoy your free time!
Anonymous
I tried to grow this in a pot years ago, but it quickly died. I live in Central Texas and the summers get very hot here. Perhaps it got too much sun on my patio. Sometimes plants that are known for being heat tolerant have no tolerance for our Texas heat. Then again, I think that I have the black thumb of death.
Briana from Texas
NanaDiana
Wow- That vine is amazing. I didn't realize they would thrive like that! Good job. Good luck with your son going off to camp-I remember how hard it was for you last year. Enjoy your time away, Pam. xo Diana
Jill
I don't have one this year but you're making me want one!! Very pretty!
Faye
I love these but we have too much shade to grow them...someday I will have a sunny garden! Yours are just beautiful!
Maci Nogueira
They are very beautiful! I've never seen this kind of flower here in Brazil. Would you inform the botanical name, please? Thank you.
andrea@townandprairie
I hope he has a fabulous time and makes a lot of memories! It's so good that he gets to go!
Pam
@Linda - I buy mine at a local garden center. They are always hard to find though and I'm guessing because they aren't that popular YET. You can grow them from seeds too though.
Vickie @ Ranger 911
This is the first year I haven't planted a black-eyed Susan vine (I haven't planted much of anything this year). They grow well in northern MN, too, and add a nice pop of cheery color to my burgundy fence. Yours looks so healthy I wish I could transplant it to my yard!
I hope everything goes well with your son's camp visit and you're able to relax when he's gone.
mamamonki
Oh I need one of those! I've never seen them around here though. Maybe Michigan Bulb would have them. So pretty.
Try to enjoy your time with your son at camp. I understand it's hard though - we just took WeeMan to mom's for the week. Logically I know he's perfectly safe but the mom in me still worries. I'm sure you worry more though with your son's health issues. I'll be thinking of you this week.
Patricia
U can also buy the seeds on amazon
Linda @ A La Carte
Love this plant! I would love to add one to my yard. So where do you get this beauty??
TARYTERRE
Take a deep breath about your son and camp. It will all work out. Love the flowers.
mzzbev
I know exactly what you mean. I have my first Black Eyed Susan vine this year too and so in love with it. She's doing well especially since I have a "brown" thumb. I will post my too although she's not as full as yours.
Debby
They are beautiful. Good luck with Max being at camp. Probably good for both of you if you can try not to worry. I am sure I would as well.
Carlene @ Organized Clutter
I have had them before but not as big as yours. I think I have just grown them in pots with a little trellis. Beautiful!