The Black-eyed Susan vine's botanical name is Thunbergia alata, named in honor of Carl Peter Thunberg, a Swedish botanist, doctor, explorer and author, by Retzius, in 1780. This herbaceous perennial climbing plant is native to Eastern Africa, and because of its vibrant colors, it is now famous world over. It is often confused with Rudbeckia, also known as Black Eyed Susan. Although they both belong to the same flowering plant family Asteraceae, the Black-eyed Susan vine, as the name suggest is a vine, creeper, twiner or climber, whereas, the Black Eyed Susan is a plant with branched out stems. It is perennial in nature and given the right conditions, will flower throughout the year.
The vine can grow 6 to 8 feet tall, sloping downwards or when its spreading on the ground. The leaves have an interesting shape, heart or arrow, are slightly rough and have microscopic hair on them. It bears flowers in spring, summer, early autumn/fall and if conducive in certain regions, even in winters. Flowers of this vine are soft five petaled blooms, arranged in a circular symmetrical order, with dark, almost black centers, hence the name. The colors range in yellow and orange, and cream and white.
How to Grow Black-eyed Susan Vines
This ornamental vine is propagated through seeds and cuttings. As the seeds are large they can be directly sown in the intended location. The vine often gets damaged while its being transplanted, just as most ornamental vines do. One can grow them in Styrofoam cups too. Prepare the soil mix by adding some part soil, a part compost, and some perlite to facilitate easy drainage. The soil should be porous. Whether in the ground, pots, hanging baskets, or in Styrofoam cups. Sow individual or just a couple of the seeds one-quarter inch deep in the soil, and cover it lightly. Water it well, and leave it out in partial sunlight to sprout. Cover the ground bed with a newspaper. The seeds will germinate perfectly well even without cover as long as the soil is kept moist. Seeds germinate within 10 to 15 days at 70 degrees F. For propagating through cuttings, cut a few 10-15 inches, strong and older steams, dip it some rooting hormone and stick it gently in a commercial soil mix. One can even collect stems, that have sprouted roots by coming in contact with some soil. Cuttings can also be rooted through water.
Black-eyed Susan Vine Care
Care basically involves adequate watering, fertilizing, pruning and keeping it away from bugs. If seeds are sown where the vine is to grow and bloom, then make sure you space them out well, about three inches apart. The number of seedlings to be transplanted in pots and hanging baskets can be done in accordance to their sizes. This vine needs full sunlight, although not hot and direct. Adequate light brings out the brightness in its flower colors. Water regularly and adequately, as the vine is very vulnerable to root rot. Less water will kill the vine, if your plant has wilted away without water, then immediately stand the entire container in a tub of water. Once the vine starts to bear buds, feed it with water-soluble fertilizer weekly, to keep the blooms coming through the end of the flowering season. Spider Mites, Whiteflies and Scale insects are generally pests and diseases that infest a Black-eyed Susan vine. A regular germicide spray takes care of it. A regular pruning which includes pinching, thinning and shearing damaged twiners can also be done to boost the vine for a prolonged bloom.
Growing this vine requires minimal effort. It can be grown to cover posts, porches or fences. One can trail them down from baskets or pots close to sunny windows, cover ground or creep them up on a trellis.
