Cardinal Climber

Ipomoea sloteri (aka Ipomoea × multifida)

Overview

Uses: Climbing flowering vine

Benefits: Bright, beautiful red flowers. Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. 

USDA Hardiness Zones: 10 - 12 (Grown as an annual in colder zones)

Sun: Full Sun to Partial Shade

Life Cycle: Perennial (Grown as an annual in colder zones)

Mature Height: Vines grow as long and can climb as high as 15' 

Mature Width: 3'-20'+ (Depending on training and conditions)

Summary

Discover the enchanting beauty of Cardinal Climber Vine!

Ipomoea sloteri—often called Ipomoea × multifida, and commonly called both Cardinal Climber, and Cypress vine— is a true fast-growing masterpiece of nature that paints your garden with its striking hues. This extraordinary vine, a harmonious hybrid between the Cypress Vine (Ipomoea quamoclit) and the Morning Glory Vine (Ipomoea coccinea), offers a spectacular display of small, radiant red flowers. These blooms are not just visually appealing; they're a magnet for hummingbirds and butterflies, adding a lively and dynamic element to your outdoor space.

The Cardinal Climber is more than just a pretty face. It's a versatile climber, eager to scale trellises, fences, and even the sides of houses, transforming them into living art. As it weaves its way upward, the vine showcases an intriguing mix of foliage — the delicate needle-like leaves of the Cypress Vine intermingled with the lush heart-shaped leaves of the Morning Glory Vine.

Adaptable and robust, the Cardinal Climber thrives in both full sun and partial shade, making it a perfect fit for a variety of garden settings. While it's a perennial at heart, those in cooler climates can cherish it as an annual, witnessing its impressive growth spurt — up to 15 feet tall!

Our Cardinal Climber Vine is not just a plant; it's a story that your garden will proudly narrate, a story of beauty, growth, and nature's wonders. Let your garden be the canvas, and the Cardinal Climber, the artist that brings it to life.

Ipomoea sloteri will form seeds in early fall, which can be harvested for planting next year. 

Care

Cardinal Climber Care

Ipomoea × multifida is typically grown as an outdoor plant, although it's sometimes grown as an indoor annual or a patio plant. 

Cardinal Climber loves full sun, and also thrives in partial shade. 

Fertilize as required, especially if planted in poor soil. It's best to fertilize Cardinal Climber with 1/2 strength fertilizer, as it's a light feeder.  Our slow release plant food is a great fertilizer for Cardinal Climber and many of our other plants!

Keep its soil moist, but not wet. Irrigate during establishment, and during periods of drought. 

Does best and grows fastest in humid conditions when the temperatures are above 80°F. Do not plant when soil temperatures are below 55°F. 

This is not a frost tolerant plant. 

Size

Size of Cardinal Climber for Sale Online

The Ipomoea sloteri that we sell online will ship in a greenhouse grade grow pot. Each plant will be appropriately sized for its pot. Please contact us with any specific questions.

Size of Cardinal Climber When Fully Grown

Ipomoea sloteri typically grows to a mature length of between 5' to 15', and a width between 3' to 20'. The height and width of Cardinal Climber Vine is vastly dependent on the training and climbing conditions it has. 

Additional Information

Common Names of Ipomoea sloteri

• Cardinal Climber

• Hearts and Honey Vine

• Morning Glory

• Cypress Vine

Toxicity and Risks of Cardinal Climber

Ipomoea sloteri is known for its toxicity to both people and to pets.

Vomiting, diarrhea, excessive salivation, abdominal pain, muscle and chest tightness, and numbness may occur after ingestion of this plant, especially its seeds. 

Additionally, the seeds are known to contain LSA, which may cause dilated pupils, drowsiness, and hallucinations.