Black-Eyed Susan Vine (Thunbergia) Growth and Care Guide

Black-Eyed Susan Vine, botanically known as Thunbergia, is a fast-growing, twining vine prized for its cheerful, trumpet-shaped flowers marked by a signature dark center. Blooming continuously through warm weather, it quickly adds vertical color to trellises, fences, and containers with a light, airy habit that never feels heavy or overgrown. In this Plant Guide, we’ll break down how to grow and care for Black-Eyed Susan Vine for maximum flowering and healthy growth. You’ll also find tips on the best varieties, ideal uses in the garden, and how to keep this vigorous vine looking polished all season long.

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By: Reggie Meehan (01/27/2026)

Introduction to Black-Eyed Susan Vine

Black-Eyed Susan Vine, is a tropical flowering vine native to Africa and Southeast Asia. With a fast-growing habit, it’s ideal for creating instant impact in gardens, whether grown on fences, trellises, or hanging baskets. This plant is celebrated for its versatility, vibrant flowers, and ability to thrive in various growing conditions, making it a popular choice for gardeners worldwide.

Thunbergia blooms profusely throughout the warm season, producing cheerful, five-petaled flowers in shades of orange, yellow, white, or blue—typically with a dark contrasting center. Its twining stems can quickly climb up supports or spill gracefully from containers, adding vertical interest and movement to the garden. While it thrives in full sun, it can also tolerate partial shade, especially in hotter climates. Regular watering and light feeding help encourage continuous flowering and healthy growth, making it a low-maintenance yet high-impact addition to any garden space.

The first time I grew Thunbergia alata, I was captivated by its sunny yellow flowers with striking black centers. Watching it climb effortlessly along my garden trellis made it one of my favorite additions for brightening outdoor spaces.

Characteristics of Black-Eyed Susan Vine

Black-Eyed Susan Vine is a fast-growing climber prized for its vibrant, trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of yellow, orange, blue, or white, often with a distinctive dark center. This tropical plant features lush, heart-shaped leaves and can be trained on trellises, fences, or hanging baskets, adding vertical interest to any garden. 

Size and Growth Habit

This fast-growing vine can reach impressive heights of 8–20 feet when provided with adequate support, making it an ideal choice for vertical gardening. Its tendrils latch onto trellises, fences, or other structures with ease, allowing it to climb quickly and create a lush, green curtain. In addition to its height, the vine spreads 3–6 feet wide under optimal conditions, providing dense coverage that is perfect for privacy or decorative purposes. Its vibrant foliage grows thickly, adding a rich, verdant look to any space. Whether used for shading, screening, or simply enhancing garden aesthetics, this vigorous climber is both practical and visually striking.

Leaves and Flowers

The foliage of this vine is truly captivating, with heart-shaped or arrow-shaped leaves that boast a soft, velvety texture. The rich green color of the leaves creates a lush, vibrant backdrop that highlights the plant’s vivid blooms. These leaves not only enhance the overall aesthetic but also contribute to the dense and luxurious appearance of the vine, making it ideal for covering fences, trellises, or walls.

The flowers, ranging from 1–2 inches wide, are equally impressive, offering a stunning variety of colors, including bright yellow, fiery orange, delicate pink, and crisp white. Some species, such as Thunbergia grandiflora, showcase larger, trumpet-shaped blooms in striking shades of blue or lavender, adding a unique elegance to the plant. The contrast between the vibrant flowers and the rich foliage creates a visually dynamic effect, making this vine a showstopper in any garden. The blooms appear in abundance throughout the growing season, adding color and charm to outdoor spaces for months. Their versatility and striking appearance make this vine a favorite among gardeners seeking both beauty and practicality.

Is Thunbergia Annual or Perennial?

In colder climates, particularly those in USDA Zones 6 and below, Black-Eyed Susan Vine is unable to survive freezing temperatures and is therefore typically grown as an annual. Gardeners in these regions often plant it in the spring after the danger of frost has passed, allowing the vine to flourish throughout the warmer months. Once the first frost arrives, the plant will die back, requiring replanting the following year. However, the vine’s fast-growing nature ensures it can achieve significant growth and vibrant blooms within a single growing season, making it a popular choice for seasonal displays.

In contrast, in tropical and subtropical regions, such as those in USDA Zones 9–11, Thunbergia thrives as a tender perennial. In these warm climates, the plant does not face the threat of frost and can grow year-round, returning robustly each season without the need for replanting. Over time, it can develop into a well-established and lush presence in the garden, producing dense foliage and an abundance of flowers year after year. This perennial nature makes it an excellent choice for long-term landscaping, providing consistent beauty and functionality in warm-weather gardens.

Best Varieties of Thunbergia 

Thunbergia, commonly known as Black-Eyed Susan vine, has seen major improvements through modern breeding, resulting in varieties that flower earlier, branch better, and perform more consistently in containers and landscapes. Today’s best selections aren’t just vigorous climbers—they’re refined, controlled, and dependable through heat and summer stress. Among the top performers, the Sunny Susy® Series sets the standard, followed closely by standout color selections and more aggressive climbers designed for vertical impact.

Sunny Susy® Series

Widely regarded as the gold standard for Thunbergia, thanks to its exceptional uniformity, dense branching, and nonstop bloom production. Sunny Susy® Yellow Dark Eye delivers classic golden-yellow flowers with a bold dark center, while Sunny Susy® White Halo offers a cleaner, more modern look with creamy white petals surrounding a soft eye. Both maintain a compact yet vigorous habit that fills containers quickly without becoming unruly, making them ideal for baskets, window boxes, and combination planters. Compared to older seed-grown varieties, Sunny Susy® plants flower earlier, stay fuller from top to bottom, and require far less maintenance to look polished.

Sunny™ Rose Sensation

Sunny™ Rose Sensation builds on the same strong genetics as the Sunny line but stands out for its richer, more saturated flower color. The rosy-pink blooms add warmth and depth that reads especially well in high-visibility containers and mixed plantings. Growth habit remains controlled and well-branched, similar to Sunny Susy®, but with a slightly bolder visual presence due to the darker flower tone. This variety is an excellent choice for gardeners who want something less traditional than yellow or white while still prioritizing reliability, heavy flowering, and tidy performance throughout the season.

TowerPower Apricot

For gardeners looking for height and vertical coverage, TowerPower Apricot fills a different role entirely. This variety features a stronger climbing habit with longer internodes, making it better suited for trellises, obelisks, fences, and vertical accents. The soft apricot blooms offer a more subtle, pastel look compared to the high-contrast flowers of the Sunny series, pairing beautifully with neutral containers and warm-toned landscapes.

How to Grow and Care for Black-Eyed Susan

Black-Eyed Susan Vine thrives in warm, sunny conditions and well-draining soil enriched with organic matter. Regular watering and occasional feeding with a balanced fertilizer encourage vibrant blooms, while trellises or supports help the climbing vines reach their full potential. Pruning spent flowers and overgrown stems promotes continuous flowering and keeps the plant tidy.

Planting Black-Eyed Susan Vine

Choose a sunny location that offers some afternoon shade, especially in hotter climates, to protect the plant from excessive heat. Space the plants 12–18 inches apart to give them room to grow and spread, ensuring optimal air circulation and healthy development. Providing the right start will set the stage for vigorous growth and abundant blooms throughout the season.

Sunlight Requirements

Thunbergia thrives in full sun to partial shade, requiring at least six hours of direct sunlight daily to produce abundant flowers. In hotter climates, it benefits from some afternoon shade to prevent scorching and stress. Insufficient sunlight can result in leggy growth and fewer blooms, so it’s important to position the plant where it can soak up ample light. A well-lit environment ensures the vine’s foliage remains lush and the flowers vibrant, creating a striking addition to any garden.

Soil Requirements

This versatile vine grows best in well-draining, fertile soil enriched with organic matter such as compost. Although it tolerates a range of soil types, it thrives in soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH of 6.0–7.5. Preparing the planting area by loosening the soil and adding compost ensures proper drainage and nutrient availability. This foundation helps the plant establish strong roots, leading to healthy growth and consistent flowering.

Watering Needs

Regular watering is essential for Black-Eyed Susan Vine, especially during its establishment phase, to keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Overwatering should be avoided, as it can lead to root rot, while underwatering can stunt growth. Once the plant is established, reduce watering slightly, allowing the topsoil to dry out between sessions. This balance promotes a healthy root system and supports the plant’s overall vigor.

Fertilizer Needs

To encourage lush growth and prolific blooms, apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every 4–6 weeks during the growing season. Be cautious not to over-fertilize, as this can result in excessive foliage growth at the expense of flowers. A moderate and consistent feeding schedule provides the nutrients needed for Thunbergia to flourish while maintaining a healthy balance between leaves and blooms.

Pruning & Deadheading

Regular pruning is beneficial for managing the size and shape of Black-Eyed Susan Vine. Trim back overly long vines to control growth and encourage a fuller appearance. Deadheading, or removing spent blooms, stimulates the plant to produce more flowers throughout the growing season. These practices ensure the vine remains attractive and blooms abundantly, enhancing its decorative appeal.

Overwintering

In colder climates, Thunbergia must be brought indoors before the first frost to survive the winter. Place the plant in a bright location, such as a sunny windowsill or under grow lights, and reduce watering during the cooler months to prevent overwatering. By providing proper care, the plant can be overwintered successfully and replanted outdoors in the spring.

Common Pests

Black-Eyed Susan Vine may occasionally attract pests like aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies. Aphids can be treated with insecticidal soap or neem oil, while spider mites can be controlled by increasing humidity and spraying the plant with water to dislodge them. Whiteflies are best managed with sticky traps or neem oil applications. Prompt action helps prevent these pests from damaging the plant.

Common Diseases

Two common diseases affecting Thunbergia are powdery mildew and root rot. Powdery mildew can be prevented by improving air circulation around the plant and avoiding overhead watering. Root rot, on the other hand, is caused by poorly draining soil, so ensuring proper drainage is critical. Monitoring and maintaining the plant’s environment will help keep these issues at bay.

Common Mistakes

Several common mistakes can hinder Thunbergia’s growth and flowering. Overwatering often leads to root rot, so it’s important to keep the soil slightly moist but not soggy. Insufficient support, such as the lack of a trellis, may result in the vine sprawling on the ground instead of climbing. Additionally, planting the vine in too much shade can cause leggy growth and significantly reduce flower production.

Common Misconceptions

One misconception about Black-Eyed Susan Vine is that it is invasive. While it can spread vigorously, regular pruning and maintenance keep its growth under control. Another myth is that it doesn’t bloom well, but ensuring the plant receives adequate sunlight and consistent fertilization will result in a profusion of vibrant flowers. With proper care, Thunbergia becomes a stunning and manageable addition to any garden.

Using Black-Eyed Susan Vine in the Garden

Black-Eyed Susan Vines add a splash of vibrant color to gardens when trained on trellises, fences, or arbors, creating a stunning vertical display. It works beautifully in hanging baskets or containers, where its cascading vines can spill over for a dramatic effect. This versatile plant is also an excellent choice for covering unsightly walls or adding privacy to outdoor spaces.

Vertical Displays

Black-Eyed Susan Vine is best known for its ability to transform trellises, fences, and arbors into vibrant focal points in the garden. With its lush foliage and striking flowers, it provides both aesthetic appeal and practical benefits, such as creating privacy or disguising unsightly structures. The vine’s natural climbing habit allows it to quickly cover vertical surfaces, softening harsh lines and adding a sense of lushness to outdoor spaces. Whether used to frame an entryway or create a living screen, Thunbergia is a versatile and eye-catching choice for vertical gardening.

Hanging Baskets

Compact varieties like Thunbergia alata are particularly suited for hanging baskets, where their trailing vines create a stunning cascading effect. The colorful blooms spill over the edges, adding charm and elegance to patios, balconies, and porches. These hanging displays are not only visually striking but also space-efficient, making them perfect for small gardens or urban settings. Their drought tolerance and minimal maintenance needs further enhance their appeal for gardeners seeking low-effort beauty.

Ground Cover

When left without support, Black-Eyed Susan Vine can spread across the ground, forming a fast-growing and dense cover. This growth habit is particularly useful for controlling erosion on slopes or filling in large, open spaces in the garden. The vine’s vibrant foliage and cheerful flowers add both color and texture to the landscape, making it an attractive alternative to traditional ground covers. Its adaptability and rapid growth make it a practical choice for tackling difficult terrain or adding a burst of greenery to bare areas.

Black-Eyed Susan Vine Climbs and Blooms with Charm

Looking to grow Thunbergia, also known as Black-Eyed Susan Vine? At Garden Delivery, we offer top-quality Thunbergia plants that bring bold, cheerful blooms and fast vertical growth to your garden. Known for their distinctive, daisy-like flowers in shades of orange, yellow, and white—each with a dark center—these vines quickly cover trellises, fences, and hanging baskets with eye-catching color. Thunbergia thrives in full sun to part shade and is heat-tolerant, making it perfect for summer-long beauty. Whether you’re creating a living screen or adding height to a container, this low-maintenance climber delivers big visual impact with minimal effort.