Ipomoea sloteri (aka Ipomoea × multifida)
Overview
Uses: Trellises, fences, mailboxes, arbors, and garden arches.
Benefits: Produces masses of vivid red, trumpet-shaped flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Fast-growing and easy to train on supports—perfect for adding vertical color and tropical charm to summer gardens.
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
Mature Height: 8' – 15'
Mature Width: 2' – 3'
Bloom Season: Summer through Frost
Growth Rate: Fast
Summary
Ipomoea sloteri, commonly known as Cardinal Climber, is a spectacular summer vine prized for its deep red, star-shaped blooms and delicate, fern-like foliage. A natural hybrid of Ipomoea quamoclit (Cypress Vine) and Ipomoea coccinea, it combines the best qualities of both—dense coverage, strong vigor, and dazzling color that draws pollinators from afar.
Cardinal Climber thrives in warm weather and quickly twines around trellises, fences, and mailboxes, creating a curtain of scarlet blooms from midsummer through frost. The flowers’ tubular shape is perfectly suited for hummingbirds, making this one of the most pollinator-friendly annual vines available.
Perfect for gardeners who love vertical color, tropical appeal, and a dependable burst of vibrant red during the hottest months of the year.
Care
Cardinal Climber Vine Care
Start seeds indoors 4–6 weeks before the last frost date, or sow directly outdoors once the soil has warmed to at least 60°F. Soaking seeds in warm water overnight helps improve germination.
Plant in full sun and well-draining soil enriched with compost or organic matter. Provide strong support such as a trellis, arbor, or fence—vines grow quickly and will twine naturally around most structures.
Water regularly during the growing season to keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy. Feed every 4–6 weeks with a balanced slow release fertilizer to support vigorous growth and continuous flowering.
Prune or pinch back new growth as needed to encourage branching and fuller coverage. Cardinal Climber blooms best in full sun and warm conditions.
Size
Size of Cardinal Climber for Sale Online
Our Cardinal Climber vines are shipped greenhouse-grown and ready to establish quickly in your garden. Each plant arrives in an appropriately sized grow pot. For current sizing and availability, please contact us.
Size of Cardinal Climber When Fully Grown
Expect mature vines to reach between 8 and 15 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide, depending on growing conditions and support structure.
Additional Information
Is Cardinal Climber a perennial or annual?
Cardinal Climber is a tender perennial in Zones 10–12 but is grown as a warm-season annual in most of the U.S.
Does Cardinal Climber attract pollinators?
Yes! Its bright red, tubular flowers are irresistible to hummingbirds and butterflies throughout the summer months.
Can Cardinal Climber be grown in containers?
Yes—use a large pot with a trellis or support for climbing. It performs beautifully in sunny patios and decks with proper watering and feeding.
Is Cardinal Climber invasive?
No, Ipomoea sloteri is a controlled hybrid and does not spread aggressively like some other morning glory species. It dies back after frost in cooler zones.
