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
Arizona Glow Black-eyed Susan Vine
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
Ocean Breezes and Country Sneezes
Just stunning!
Good luck with camp tomorrow. I'm sure the councelors will take very good care of your son. Try not to worry.
Patricia Preston
Those are beautiful!
Tammy N
Very pretty. Thanks for sharing. I haven't seen them before.
Lori Lehman
Love Black Eyed Susan vines!! Yours are gorgeous!! I have some growing around my tree out front and in some planters in the backyard. They are such a pretty hardy vine! Have a great day, Lori
Margaret Kearney
It's winter NOW, but I am SO READY for Spring! I love these, too. I planted them in a container with BLUE pansies, PINK geranium and BLUE lobelia. The bright color mix was great.
Margaret Kearney
It's winter NOW, but I am SO READY for Spring! I love these, too. I planted them in a container with BLUE pansies, PINK geranium and BLUE lobelia. The bright color mix was great.
Candace Tornay-Gonzalez
I planted my first one this last summer... and it took over the picket fence!!!
I was sad to learn that it would not be coming back though after winter!
Which means I have to buy another... I feel that they are a bit pricy!!!!
Kim M
Love! I usually grow morning glories on my garage wall, but they can be invasive...I have to keep a stern eye on them! I might give these a go this year instead!
Laurie Dickson
I adore these, are they annual? I have the perfect spot picked out I hope they grow here in Canada! Got some research to do! 🙂 Thanks for sharing these, truly love them.
Pam Kessler
They're annuals. I would think they would be able to grow up there, Laurie. Unless you're real close to Alaska 🙂
Ann Alexander
I tried my firstvvine last year. It took forever to flower. I thought this vine was a perrenial. But it must be an annual (I am in zone 8). So I started seeds again this year, and I have a tiny vine started in my garden.
Suziwong66
I planted my first Black Eyed Susan late last year; it's been really successful...and still flowering as we've headed into Autumn. After i collected the seeds from Sweet Peas last year, i replaced one of the beds with the BES and i'm so glad i did. I'll only plant one area with Sweet Peas next Spring, but it's worth it!
jenny
Please sign me up for your blog.
Pam
I bought one this year at our local nursery to grow around my bottle tree. It's the best blooming thing I've ever seen.
Pam
They really do just take off don't they 🙂 The one I bought this year is half bright yellow and half orange and I'm kind of liking the variety of it.
Polly plum
Do Susan's grow in sFL? do you start from seeds, or seedlings? I haven't seen them down here.
I've never seen them down here.
polly plum
I'm new to the gardening and home decor world, and this flower looks lovely!So do you grow BES FROM SEEDS OR FROM BULBS?And can you explain how a plant can be both non-invasive and grow like a weed?
Polly
Colette
In the East bay in California this vine grows well and makes it through the winter for another summer.
Pam
That's good to know! I wish it would grow as a perennial here in Ohio!
Pam
Bought a bottle tree, added blue bottles. Planted one Black-eyed Susan vine to grow up the tree. Thought I may need another. It grew up the tree and fully covered the bench next to it. It was beautiful and bloomed until the frost got it. So glad I didn't buy another. I've got two starts growing indoors for next spring. Hope they make it!!!
Pam
They just grow like weeds don't they! Love those plants!
Gina VanMuyden
Don't know where you live,Im in sacramento.I thaught i lost mine due to frost 1st year,wasnt pretty!,..but came back! I now cover with old school x-mas lights during freeze,works well,Also,..KEEP HER MOIST! If she is dry,frost will take her!Dont pull it up,..she will come back! trust me.
Gina VanMuyden
Ive had mine for 4 years now.LOVE IT!
2 words of advice,requires partail shade,just like a shade loving plant,..will fry in hot sun.
Use chicken wire,not a trellis,they love to cling,will do better w chicken wire.
I purchases in Santa Cruz,I was worried it wouldnt survive sacramento heat,but does well!
I found seeds,trying my hand at planting from scatch!
Allison from Gardening Services London
Black-eyed Susan vines would look amazing crawling on an arbour. It will create a very romantic spot for calm summer nights outdoors. Thank you for the idea. 🙂
Florence
I have never heard of Black-Eyed-Susan vine until just recently, & apparently, it doesn't grow here in zone 7 (Alabama.) It is pretty & looks a little different than Black-Eyed Susan wildflowers that are native here. I wouldn't mind having some to try out.
Have you ever heard of Grape Hyacinth vine? It's a pretty purple climber with pea pods that are edible, and pretty purple blooms. I think I'll do a blog post about it sometime, but I don't have it in my yard this year.