Noninvasive Vines for Containers

Bleeding Heart Vine

• Clerodendrum thomsoniae, commonly called bleeding heart vine, can be grown indoors as a houseplant. It needs a bright sunny location but should not be placed in direct sunlight. This vine can reach lengths of 12 to 15 feet in hot climates. It can be pruned back in late winter or early spring to maintain a more manageable size. These vines bloom from spring until the end of autumn as long as they get enough water and fertilizer. The heart-shaped flowers are white with small blood red corollas which protrude from the bottom, hence the name bleeding heart. Water this vine regularly so that the soil stays evenly moist and give it fertilizer with micronutrients and calcium. In the winter, allow the soil to dry slightly and do not give it fertilizer.

Bower Vine

• Pandorea jasminoides, commonly known as bower vine, can grow 15 feet within one to two years in hot climates. This vine can be pruned in late fall. It blooms predominately during the summer but can bloom nearly any time throughout the year in hot climates. The flowers are funnel-shaped, approximately 2 inches in diameter and commonly white with a pink or red throat. Its 1- to 2-inch long glossy leaflets are normally dark green but the Variegata cultivar has creamy yellow leaf edging. The Alba cultivar produces flowers that are all white. The Rosea cultivar produces flowers that are pink with dark reddish-pink throats.

Mandevilla Vine

• Mandevillas thrive in bright sunny areas in the house. When grown outdoors in hot locations, these vines can easily reach 20 feet long. They can grow between 3 and 10 feet per season, depending on the cultivar. Pruning can be done in early spring to maintain a shorter more manageable plant. They bloom throughout the summer, producing 3- to 4-inch diameter funnel-type flowers. The dark green wrinkly leaves are 3 to 8 inches long. Mandevilla x amabilis, synonymous with dipladenia x amabilis, has pink flowers. The Red Velvet cultivar has slightly larger flowers that can be up to 5 inches across. They are dark pink when temperatures are below 85 degrees F. and dark red when temperatures are above 85 degrees F. M. boliviensis, also known as white dipladenia, has 2- to 3-inch diameter white flowers with yellow throats.

Sky Vine

• Thunbergias are well-suited to growing in containers. These vines are commonly referred to as Bengal trumpet, clock vine, sky flower, sky vine or blue trumpet vine. They can be grown as houseplants in bright sunny rooms. These plants can grow to between 15 and 30 feet long in hot climates. They can grow as much as 8 feet in one season but can be pruned as necessary to control its size. These vines bloom in late summer or early fall. The flowers are various shades of blue, ranging from sky blue to purple-blue, with yellow throats. The heart-shaped leaves are dark green. T. battiscombei, commonly called scrambling sky flower, grows to only about 4 feet tall. It blooms all summer with deep blue to purple blue flowers. T. alata, known as black-eyed Susan vine, blooms from late summer through autumn with bright yellow, orange or white flowers.