Black-Eyed Susan Vine – 20 Seeds

Belonging to the Thunbergia genus, Black-eyed susan vine has a botanical name of Thunbergia alata. The botanical name epithet alata means ‘winged’. Common names: black-eyed susan (Eng.); swartoognooi (Afr.) ; isiPhondo (Zulu)

A mixture of colors in shades of yellow, white, and orange, each bloom is centered with a black ‘eye’ and prominently displayed against emerald green ivy-like foliage. Perfect for trellises and hanging baskets, the vine grows 8-10 feet in full to part sun and moist, well drained soil. It is a fast-growing, long-flowering, friendly creeper.

It is not fussy about soil, needs only moderate water, doesn’t go rampant, is mostly evergreen and covers ugly places beautifully. Thunbergia alata is a soft, perennial climber about 1-5 × 1 m with many twining stems. Flowers all summer but can continue all year in warmer areas.

Try planting Black-eyed susan vine if you’d like to attract butterflies, bees and birds to your garden.

Growing Black-eyed Susan Vine 

Indoor Sowing: Late Winter and Early Spring.

Direct Sowing: Spring.

• The seeds germinate easily in moist humus-rich soil, mixed with river sand.
• Start seed indoors, about 6 to 8 weeks before your last frost date, or sow directly outdoors after all danger of frost is over.
• Soak the large, hard seeds in water for a day or two before planting.
• These vines don’t like having their roots disturbed and it helps if you start the seed in peat or paper pots.
• Plant them about 1cm deep and expect them to germinate within 2 to 3 weeks, depending on the temperature.

Due to how easy it is to grow in a variety of conditions, Black-eyed Susan vine is great for beginner gardeners and those that like low maintenance gardens.