Thunbergia alata
Overview
Uses: Trellises, hanging baskets, fences, window boxes, and garden arches.
Benefits: Bright, cheerful blooms in shades of yellow, orange, and apricot with deep brown centers. Vigorous, fast-growing, and long-blooming—ideal for vertical color and cascading displays.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 10 – 12 (grown as an annual in colder zones)
Life Cycle: Tender perennial (grown as a warm-season annual outside Zones 10–12)
Sun: Full Sun to Partial Sun
Mature Height: 5' – 8'
Mature Width: 2' – 3'
Bloom Season: Summer through Frost
Growth Rate: Fast
Summary
Thunbergia alata, commonly known as Black-Eyed Susan Vine, is a tropical climber that produces an abundance of bright, eye-catching flowers with rich dark centers. Its trailing or climbing nature makes it perfect for trellises, hanging baskets, and window boxes, where the blooms can spill gracefully over edges or climb toward the sun.
Flowers appear continuously throughout the summer and into fall, adding a lively burst of color to any sunny space. Whether used in patio containers, along fences, or to soften garden structures, this vine offers instant charm and warmth with minimal effort.
Fast-growing and easy to maintain, the Black-Eyed Susan Vine is a favorite for both novice and seasoned gardeners who want reliable color and vigorous growth all season long.
Care
Black-Eyed Susan Vine Care
Plant after the danger of frost has passed, once soil and air temperatures remain above 60°F. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before transplanting or sow directly outdoors after frost.
Grow in full sun for best bloom production, though it will tolerate partial sun in hot climates. Use well-draining, nutrient-rich soil and water consistently to keep the root zone evenly moist—but avoid waterlogging.
Feed every 4–6 weeks during active growth using a balanced slow release fertilizer to promote continuous flowering.
Provide sturdy support such as a trellis, obelisk, or fence for climbing vines, or let them trail from containers and hanging baskets. Regular deadheading encourages more blooms and maintains a tidy appearance.
Size
Size of Black-Eyed Susan Vine for Sale Online
Our Black-Eyed Susan Vine plants are shipped healthy and greenhouse-grown, ready to thrive in your garden or patio planters. Each plant arrives in an appropriately sized grow pot. For current sizing and availability, please contact us.
Size of Black-Eyed Susan Vine When Fully Grown
Expect mature vines to reach about 5'–8' tall and 2'–3' wide when grown with proper support and care.
Additional Information
Is Black-Eyed Susan Vine a perennial or annual?
It’s a tender perennial in USDA Zones 10–11 but is grown as a warm-season annual in most regions due to frost sensitivity.
Does Black-Eyed Susan Vine attract pollinators?
Yes! Bees, butterflies, and other pollinators are drawn to its bright blooms throughout the summer.
Can Black-Eyed Susan Vine be grown in containers?
Absolutely. It thrives in hanging baskets or large patio containers when given adequate sunlight, moisture, and a support structure to climb.
Does it need pruning?
Light trimming helps manage shape and encourages new growth. Pinch back tips early to promote branching and fuller coverage.
Is Black-Eyed Susan Vine toxic?
No, Thunbergia alata is not considered toxic to people or pets, making it a safe choice for family gardens.
