How to Care for a Snail Vine

Snail vine, Vigna caracalla, is commonly known as climbing shell plant, snail flower, Phaseolus gigantea, Phaseolus caracalla, corkscrew flower, snail shell and snail flower. The perfumed flowers that emerge on this fast-growing vine resemble snails and are attractive to butterflies and bees. Native to areas from tropical South America to Central America, this vine grows best in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 9 to 10 as a perennial, but will grow as an annual in other zones as well.

Shovel
Support
Hand shears

Instructions

- 1
  Plant snail vine in a site with fertile, well-drained soil. Enrich the soil with 3 or more inches of compost or other organic matter before planting, if needed. Mix these into the soil to a depth of at least 6 inches.
- 2
  Install a support, such as an arbor, trellis, fence or other structure, for the snail vine to climb on. This twining vine typically grows 15 to 25 feet with equivalent or greater spread.
- 3
  Dig holes equal to the depth of the pot for container-grown snail vines or sow seeds at the depth and spacing suggested on the seed packet. Keep soil moist until seedlings emerge.
- 4
  Water the snail vine well after planting to settle the plant in place and remove any possible air pockets. Provide water at a rate of 1 inch per week from spring through fall in the absence of rain.
- 5
  Prune the snail vine back to the ground each year in the winter after the plant naturally dies back. Trim the plant at any time to maintain size or remove damaged parts.

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