Content Detail

Black-eyed Susan vine is an annual, typically with orange-yellow flowers that resemble black-eyed Susans. This vine climbs by twining.

  • Family (English) Acanthus
  • Family (botanic) Acanthaceae
  • Tree or plant type Vine
  • Native locale Non-native
  • Size range Large plant (more than 24 inches)
  • Light exposure Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily), Partial sun / shade (4-6 hrs light daily)
  • Hardiness zones Zone 10, Zone 11
  • Soil preference Moist, well-drained soil
  • Season of interest midsummer, late summer, early fall
  • Flower color and fragrance Orange, Pink, Red, White, Yellow
  • Shape or form Vining
  • Growth rate Fast

Size and Method of Climbing:

This annual vine can grow up to 8 feet in a season. It is a twining vine. Twining vines climb by twisting their stems or leaf stalks around a support such as a trellis, arbor, wire or chain-link fence.

Native geographic location and habitat:

It is native to tropical Africa.

Leaf description:

Leaves are opposite and coarsely toothed, triangular in shape with winged petioles.

Flower description:

Flowers are typically orange-yellow with dark throats.

Fruit description:

The fruit is a beaked capsule and not ornamentally important.

Plant Care:

This plant needs full to partial sun and a consistent supply of water.

List of pests and diseases:

There are no common serious problems.

African Sunset black-eyed Susan vine (Thunbergia alata ‘African Sunset’):

Flowers are a mix of red, pink, salmon, and ivory with dark throats.

Amber Eyes black-eyed Susan vine (Thunbergia alata ‘Amber Eyes’):

Flowers are creamy yellow with dark throats.

Arizona Dark Red black-eyed Susan vine (Thunbergia alata ‘Arizona Dark Red’):

Flowers are red or red-tinged (variable colors) with dark throats.

Blushing Susie black-eyed Susan vine (Thunbergia alata ‘Blushing Susie’):

Flowers are shades of red, apricot, pink, and ivory with dark throats.

Lemon A-Peel® black-eyed Susan vine (Thunbergia alata ‘Lemon Star’):

Flowers are lemon yellow with dark throats.

Spanish Eyes black-eyed Susan vine (Thunbergia alata ‘Spanish Eyes’):

Flowers are a mix of colors (yellow, red, salmon, apricot) with dark throats.

Superstar Orange black-eyed Susan vine (Thunbergia alata ‘Superstar Orange’):

Flowers are orange with dark throats.

White-flowered black-eyed Susan vine (Thunbergia alata ‘Alba’):

Flowers are white with dark throats.

Donate

Your support is vital to the Arboretum, where the power of trees makes a positive impact on people’s lives.

Make a gift