Gardening Trees, Shrubs & Vines Vines Black-Eyed Susan Vine By Viveka Neveln Viveka Neveln Instagram Viveka Neveln is the Garden Editor at BHG and a degreed horticulturist with broad gardening expertise earned over 3+ decades of practice and study. She has more than 20 years of experience writing and editing for both print and digital media. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on July 10, 2018 Share Tweet Pin Email Black-Eyed Susan Vine Overview Description An old-fashioned favorite, black-eyed Susan vine is beloved for cheerful yellow blossoms that unfurl with abandon from midsummer until the first frost. A little slow to get started in spring and early summer, black-eyed Susan begins to grow with gusto at a time when many perennials and some annuals take a midsummer break. This climbing plant will quickly ramble up a short trellis and is especially striking when trailing from a window box or hanging basket. Genus Name Thunbergia Common Name Black-Eyed Susan Vine Plant Type Annual, Perennial, Vine Light Sun Height 3 to 8 feet Width null to 8 feet Flower Color Orange, White Foliage Color Chartreuse/Gold Season Features Fall Bloom, Summer Bloom Special Features Good for Containers, Low Maintenance Zones 10, 11 Propagation Seed, Stem Cuttings Garden Plans For Black-Eyed Susan Vine Black-Eyed Susan Vine Care Must-Knows Easy to grow from seed, black-eyed Susan vine can be started indoors or outdoors. To start indoors, plant seeds 5 to 6 weeks before the last expected frost in your area. Plant seeds in individual pots of seed-starting mix and cover them with about ½ inch of soil. Keep seeds warm and moist as they germinate and emerge, consistently providing a strong light source. As soon as nighttime temperatures are consistently above 50 degrees Fahrenheit, transplant seedlings outdoors in a spot that receives full sun and has moist, well-drained soil. Start seeds directly in the garden once the threat of frost passes. Plant seeds in a sunny, sheltered spot in well-drained, rich garden soil. Plant seeds 6 inches apart and ½ inch deep. Place a climbing support, such as a trellis or tripod, nearby at planting time. Keep soil moist but not soggy. Don't panic if seedlings don't emerge right away; black-eyed Susan seeds often require 21 or more days to germinate. After germination, the plants grow slowly until midsummer, after which they grow quickly—scurrying up a trellis and creating towers of sunny yellow blossoms. Build a trellis for your flowers to climb on. Pollinators' Buffet Black-eyed Susan vine is a favorite nectar source for bees and butterflies. Plant it near a patio or porch where you can enjoy the antics of winged visitors when they visit. Pair this cheerful flowering vine with other nectar-rich plants for a grand backyard nectar buffet. Easy-to-grow annuals for bees and butterflies include ageratum, zinnias, cosmos, and nasturtium. See more plants that attract pollinators. More Varieties of Black-Eyed Susan Vine 'Little Susie' black-eyed Susan vine A Thunbergia alata that bears white flowers with a chocolate-purple center. It climbs to 8 feet. Zone 10-11, but it's usually grown as an annual. 'Orange A-Peel' black-eyed Susan vine Bright orange blossoms with dark eyes. A Thunbergia alata that looks great in containers. Zones 10-11. Orange Clock Vine Thunbergia gregorii is distinguished from the closely related black-eyed Susan vine by its rich, pure orange flowers. This vine climbs 8-10 feet high with support or will scramble over the ground and become a groundcover. Zones 10-11, but usually grown as an annual. 'Sunny Lemon Star' black-eyed Susan vine This variety of Thunbergia alata offers big yellow flowers with brown centers. It climbs to 8 feet. Zone 10-11, but it's usually grown as an annual. 'White-Eyed Susie' black-eyed Susan vine Profuse blossoms of Thunbergia alata that are clear white with bold black eyes. Zones 10-11. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit