An old - fashioned favorite , opprobrious - eyed Susan vine is beloved for its pollyannaish xanthous blossoms .
Black - eyed Susan vine is an quondam - fashioned ornamental deary dear for its cheerful yellowish blossoms that unfurl with abandon from midsummer until the first icing of fall . A tender evergreen perennial , grim - eyed Susan vine will range up a short treillage and lead from window box and baskets as it attracts a parade of pollinators like bees and butterflies .
Despite its common name , pitch-black - eyed Susan vine ( genusThunbergia ) is completely unrelated to the perennial garden staple , black-market - eyed Susan(genusRudbeckia ) , but no less cheerful . It may be a petty slow to get started in spring and early summer , but once disgraceful - eyed Susan begin to grow , it will flower with gusto at a time when many perennial ( and some annuals ) take a midsummer break .

Credit: Marty Baldwin
Where to Plant Black-Eyed Susan Vine
Black - eyed Susan vine is a Lord’s Day - know flowering vine that does best in rich , well - debilitate soil . In warmer climate , it can be grown as a perennial , but most gardeners use it to add an annual splash of colour and height to summer garden spaces . It loves to climb poles , lampposts , tree , and other structures ; so , use it to create a summertime privacy fence by placing it near atrellisor pergola . Or , if you prefer to let gravity do the work , plant it in window boxes or hang baskets and allow the vine to trail and sway in the duck soup .
While it is a vigorous agriculturist once make , black - eyed Susan vine tend to be cranky , so engraft yours in an domain protect from strong winds and — if your region is prone to hot , dry weather — contrive to give your vine shelter from the coarse afternoon sun .
dark - eyed Susan vine is a preferred nectar source forbees and butterflies . engraft it near a terrace or porch where you may enjoy the antics of winged visitors when they claver . copulate this pollyannaish flowering vine with other nectar - rich plants for a grand backyard nectar buffet . Easy - to - grow annuals for bees and butterflies includeageratum , zinnias , cosmos , andnasturtium .

Credit:Marty Baldwin
In most region , shameful - eyed Susan vine can only be grow as an yearly flowering vine because it is not frost resistant . However , in the tropic climate of the Pacific Islands ( including the islands of Hawaii),Thunbergia alatais take an trespassing threat to the natural ecosystem . Before planting black - eyed Susan vine in a tropical climate , contain your local lists of speculative and invasive plants .
How and When to Plant Black-Eyed Susan Vine
To maximise the grow time of year , start your black - eyed Susan vine seeds indoors some 6 to 8 weeks before the last hoarfrost in natural spring . works seeds in item-by-item pots of seed - starting mix and wrap up them with about 1/2 inch of soil . Keep seeds warm and damp as they germinate and egress , systematically providing a strong light seed . As soon as nighttime temperatures are consistently above 50 degrees Fahrenheit , transplant seedlings outdoors in a spot that receives full sun and has moist , well - drained soil .
If you know in an surface area with mild spring weather condition , you’re able to also sow them at once into the dirt in early spring . embed them in well - drain soil about 1/2 inch inscrutable and cover them with a light-colored stratum of grunge . put extra planting approximately 12 to 18 inches apart .
In most climate , nursery - grown plants or transplants can be placed in the ground once even temperatures are consistently above 50 degrees Fahrenheit . Just make a hollow the same size as your industrial plant ’s container , gently remove the plant from its container , and send the plant in the undercoat at the same level in the soil . If you are planting multiple works , aim them about 12 to 18 inches aside .

Credit:Denny Schrock
If you plan to use climbing structure for your black - eyed Susan vine , install those at the same time you sow your seeds or come in your plants . This will help melt off emphasis on the growing plants and germinating seed .
Black-Eyed Susan Vine Care Tips
smuggled - eyed Susan vine is sluttish to farm from seed , but do n’t panic if your seedlings do n’t emerge right away ; black - eyed Susan seeds often require 21 or more Clarence Day to germinate . After sprouting , the plant farm slowly until midsummer , after which they ’ll grow rapidly — scurrying up a treillage and create tugboat of gay yellowish blossoms .
Light
mordant - eyed Susan vine needs full sun to prosper and raise blossom . The vine will digest partial shade , but flowering may diminish in such areas . If you live in an sphere with hot , juiceless summers , place your black - eyed Susan vine in an area where it will be protected from theharshest good afternoon shaft — like an due east - facing garden .
Soil and Water
Black - eyed Susan vine prefers fertile , well - drain stain with a slightly acidulent to slightly alkaline pH ( 6.5 to 7.7 ) . If growing your dim - eyed Susan vine in containers , use a high - quality all - determination potting mix that drains well .
Black - eyed Susan vine do not fare well in quaggy land and may develop putrefaction if overwatered . That said , its tender vine and leave can wilt when strain for moisture . Whether your plants are in the ground or in containers , design to irrigate regularly and deeply ( about 1 in per calendar week ) throughout the growing time of year and view add together a stratum of mulch to help the soil retain a healthy grade of wet .
Temperature and Humidity
Black - eyed Susan vine love warm , tropical mood and are not frost - resistant . So , they are only recurrent in USDA hardiness zona 10 and 11 . In other climates , they are typically grown as annuals that get removed at the end of each growing time of year . In the height of its arise time of year , black - eyed Susan vine will uphold producing flower until temperatures light below 60 degrees Fahrenheit ( but it may suffer from scorch or wilt in extreme estrus ) .
To that end , fateful - eyed Susan vine is not drought - tolerant and may arise wilted in very arid climates . It is , however , okay with humid conditions .
Fertilizer
Pruning
you may maintain the shape and size of it of your calamitous - eyed Susan vine with sluttish pruning , but it is not necessary for the wellness of the plant . Deadheading is also not take to keep the flora in salad days .
Potting and Repotting
bootleg - eyed Susan vine is a popular container plant — especially when it is allowed to spill over the sides of hanging baskets and window box . Choose a container that is approximately 10 to 12 inches in diam ( for every two to three plants ) and fill it with a well - drain potting intermixture that is slightly acidic to slightly alkaline . If you plan to let your ignominious - eyed Susan vine climb , place a climb apparatus in or near the container at the meter of planting .
Place your container in a cheery spot that is protected from strong air current and harsh afternoon sun . When the plant dies out , take away it from the container and get down again . If you endure in a mood where black - eyed Susan vine can be grown as a perennial , you may need to divide and repot your plant every 3 to 4 year . This is best done in former spring before new ontogeny emerges or in the fall after the majority of blooming has finished .
Pests and Problems
Black - eyed Susan vine is comparatively job - free if planted with proper air circulation , Dominicus , and water . In some fix , it is susceptible to whiteflies , spider mites , and plant scale , but these can be treat with insecticidal soap .
How to Propagate Black-Eyed Susan Vine
It is well-heeled to uprise bootleg - Eyed Susan vine from seed , but you may also circulate it from cuttings done in the fall . To do so , take a 4 to 6 - column inch segment from a healthy stem by nip off it just below the stem node with infertile , tart pruner . Stick the cut end of the segment into a little mass fill with standard potting mix and place the pot in a gay maculation to grow over the winter months . Keep the soil moist , but not sloshed and in the give ( when evening temperatures are above 50 degrees Fahrenheit ) the plant can be transplanted alfresco .
Types of Black-Eyed Susan Vine
‘Little Susie’ black-eyed Susan vine
Marty Baldwin
This sweet vine ( Thunbergia alata ) stick out white flowers with a hot chocolate - purple gist . It climbs to 8 feet tall .
‘Orange A-Peel’ black-eyed Susan vine
Denny Schrock
It ’s not tough to see why ' Orange A - Peel ' ( Thunbergia alata ) earned its name when you see its brilliant orangeness blossoms and dark-skinned brown center . Like many other black - eyed Susan vines , this cultivar bet great in containers .
Orange Clock Vine
Thunbergia gregoriiis distinguished from the nearly related black - eyed Susan vine by its rich , pure orange flowers that bear no dark heart . This vine wax 8 - 10 feet gamey with support or will throw together over the ground and become a ground cover . Like black - eyed Susan vine , it is stalwart as a perennial in zones 10 - 11 but is usually grown as an yearbook .
‘Sunny Lemon Star’ black-eyed Susan vine
This variety ofThunbergia alataoffers big scandalmongering peak with brown centers and climbs to 8 feet .
‘White-Eyed Susie’ black-eyed Susan vine
Jason Wilde
The ' White - Eyed Susie ' cultivar ( Thunbergia alata ) produces a profuse phone number of bright lily-white blossoms with bold black eyes . you may grow it as a perennial in zones 10 - 11 or as an yearly in zones 2 - 9 .
Black-Eyed Susan Vine Companion Plants
Ageratum
Often referred to as floss flower , ageratumbrings playfulness to the garden with midget pommy - pom heyday covered n floss - like filament . The peak ( which are quite popular with pollinators ) start in later spring and proceed to dazzle until the first icing . They choose full sunlight to fond shade and are grown as yearbook in zones 2 - 11 .
Cosmos
With their soft , fern - like foliation and daisy - like blooms , cosmosmake a welcome summation to any wildflower or cottage garden . They are also quite gentle to mature , making the unfussy annuals a pop option for baby ’s and tiro ’s garden design . Cosmos choose full sun and well - drained soil but may postulate stake if they grow too tall to support their flowerheads . Plan to direct sow cosmos seeds in your garden just before the last Robert Lee Frost in spring .
Nasturtium
Nasturtiumis a fast - growing heirloom yearly vine with more or less succulent stems and classifiable , rounded green leaves that resemble miniature Nelumbo nucifera leaves . It is easy to maturate and perfect for both garden layer and borders that savor in full sunlight . Plan to imbed nasturtium in the give after the last frost . This cottage darling is stalwart in zone 9 - 11 but grown as an annual elsewhere .
Zinnia
A classic flower in bungalow and cutting garden , zinniasoffer vibrant blooms and call for minimal care . Like black - eyed Susan vine , zinnias prefer full sun and moist , well - drained ground . They are considered warm - weather annuals and are at their most robust in the spicy months of spring , summer , and fall . design to embed them as the atmospheric condition warms in the spring .
Frequently Asked Questions
In most of the United States , no . Since black - eyed Susan vine is not frost - tolerant and can only be get as an annual in most North American regions , it is not classified as incursive in most states . It may ego - seed when grown in more hospitable , systematically lovesome climates . For that reason , it is debate an invading plant in Australia , Japan , Singapore , Costa Rica , Cuba , Puerto Rico , Brazil , Colombia , Paraguay , and a number of island in the Pacific ( including Hawaii and French Polynesia ) .
Several constituent can stall or stop flowering — and most are environmental . If your soil is too misfortunate or too besotted , that can keep blush from emerging . If the air temperature is too hot or too inhuman or if the plant has been divulge to the blacken Dominicus , your vine may not bloom . Your industrial plant may also stop blooming if they have been over - fecundate .
Without right sun exposure , your dark - eyed Susan vine are unlikely to blossom . They are also apt to grow leggy and may commence to turn sensationalistic from a deficiency of chlorophyll .

Credit:Denny Schrock
you could . In fact , some growers choose to bestow their container - produce contraband eyed Susan vine indoors to endure the winter temperature . If you choose to do this , keep in mind that you may need to take extra measures to ascertain your plants receive enough vulnerability to sunshine . Indoor - grown black - eyed Susan vine is also more susceptible to infestations of whiteflies and spider mites .
Plant Threats to Pacific Ecosystems . Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry Pacific Island Ecosystems at endangerment ( PIER ) .

Credit: Marty Baldwin

Credit:Jason Wilde

Credit: Brie Williams

Credit: Jon Jensen

Credit: Peter Krumhardt

Credit: Peter Krumhardt