Thunbergia alata
Overview
Uses: Trellises, fences, garden arches, patio containers, hanging baskets, window boxes
Benefits: Bright warm-toned blooms with dark centers, fast growth for quick vertical coverage, long bloom window from summer into frost, beautiful trailing or climbing habit
USDA Hardiness Zones: 10–12 (grown as an annual in colder climates)
Sun: Full Sun, Partial Sun/Shade
Life Cycle: Tender Perennial
Growth Habit: Climbing, Trailing — twining vine that scrambles on support
Bloom Color: Yellow, Orange, and Cream
Mature Height: 5–8 feet
Mature Width: 2–3 feet
Bloom Season: Summer through Frost
Growth Rate: Fast
Summary
Instant sunshine for trellises and patio pots—this vine turns vertical space into a ribbon of warm, cheerful color.
Thunbergia alata, commonly called Black-Eyed Susan Vine, is a fast-growing climber that blooms generously through summer and into fall. The bright flowers, accented by deep centers, pop against fresh green foliage and look equally at home scrambling up a trellis or spilling over the edge of a hanging basket.
Use it to soften fences, dress up arches, or add height to container combinations. It’s an easy way to bring lively color to sunny spaces with a full, trailing finish that keeps going right up to frost.
Care
Black-Eyed Susan Vine Care
Plant outdoors after the danger of frost has passed. Choose a warm site with well-drained soil and water consistently during establishment, keeping the root zone evenly moist but not saturated.
Full sun encourages the best flowering, though some afternoon shade can be helpful in very hot climates. Provide a trellis, fence, or obelisk for climbing, or let it trail naturally from baskets and window boxes.
For steady growth and consistent bloom production, feed during the growing season with a slow release fertilizer, following label directions.
Light trimming or pinching can encourage branching and a fuller look. Deadheading is optional but can help keep plants tidy in containers.
Container Growing
Black-Eyed Susan Vine thrives in hanging baskets and patio containers. Use a pot with drainage holes and water more frequently than in-ground plantings, since containers dry out faster.
Fertilize periodically during active growth, and provide a small trellis or support if you want the vine to climb rather than trail.
Plants hardy in the ground may require winter protection when grown in containers in colder zones.
Size
What Size is the Black-Eyed Susan Vine for Sale Online?
Our Black-Eyed Susan Vine ships in a greenhouse-grade grow pot and is appropriately sized for its container at the time of shipment. If you have specific sizing questions, please contact us.
How Large Does Black-Eyed Susan Vine Grow?
With support, vines typically reach about 5–8 feet tall and spread about 2–3 feet wide. In containers, size will vary based on pot volume, watering, and support structure.
Additional Information
What are some common names for this plant?
This plant is commonly known as Black-Eyed Susan Vine.
Is Black-Eyed Susan Vine a perennial or annual?
It is a tender perennial in USDA Zones 10–12 and is grown as an annual in colder climates. If you’re shopping seasonal color, you can also browse our Annuals collection.
Does Black-Eyed Susan Vine attract pollinators?
Yes. The blooms are visited by bees and butterflies throughout the growing season. If you’re building vertical color, you may also like our Flowering Vines & Climbing Plants collection.
Can Black-Eyed Susan Vine be grown in containers?
Absolutely. It performs especially well in hanging baskets and patio pots when given sun, consistent water, and a support option if you want it to climb. For more container-friendly picks, explore our Patio Plants collection.
