Cypress vine is a tropical annual twining vine native to tropical America, grown for its stunning scarlet flowers and delicate, fern-like foliage. This warm-season climber reaches 6 to 15 feet tall (sources vary on maximum height, with some reporting up to 20 feet), producing showy scarlet-red blooms from June through October. Hardy in zones 11 to 12, it thrives in full sun with moderate water and low maintenance, making it an excellent choice for gardeners seeking a dramatic, heat-loving vine that attracts hummingbirds and butterflies without demanding constant attention.
1
Full Sun
Moderate
11-12
180in H x 72in W
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High
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Scarlet-red flowers only 3/4 inch across bloom in successive waves from early summer through fall, creating an almost ethereal display against feathery foliage that resembles delicate fern fronds. The thin, fragile stems twist naturally as they climb, so they need sturdy support to truly shine. This vine grows quickly enough to reach mature height in a single season and tolerates both drought and wet soil, which is unusual and valuable for a tropical annual.
Cypress vine is grown as an ornamental annual, often naturalized on trellises, arbors, or other vertical supports to create dramatic vertical gardens. Its hummingbird and butterfly attraction makes it a magnet for pollinators, particularly when grown in rain gardens or naturalized plantings where it can spread freely.
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Start seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before your last spring frost date. Keep soil at 65 to 80°F and cover with a humidity dome to retain moisture until germination occurs. Seeds typically sprout in 5 to 14 days.
Transplant seedlings outdoors after all frost danger has passed, typically around the last frost date for your region. Harden off seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7 to 10 days before planting in the garden.
Direct sow seeds in the ground about 2 weeks after your last spring frost date, when soil has warmed sufficiently.
Pruning is rarely necessary for cypress vine grown as an annual. Allow the twining stems to climb naturally on their support structure. Remove any dead or damaged growth as needed, and pinch back leading shoots in early growth if you want to encourage branching and denser flowering.
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