Cardiospermum is a half hardy perennial, though gardeners often treat it as a half hardy annual.
It is a climber that may grow to 4 M in height.
Cardiospermum flowers in the summer with white flowers and has green fruit.
Other names for this garden plant include heart pea, Heart seed, Balloon vine (Cardiospermum halicacabum), Love in a puff, and Winter Cherry.
Heartseed flower and Heartseed fruit by Pellaea.
Common Names: Balloon Vine, Heart Seed, Winter Cherry, Heart Seed Vine, Love in a Vine, Heart Pea.
Life Cycle: Half hardy perennial usually grown as a half hardy annual by gardeners.
Height: 120 inches (300 cm).
Native: Tropical regions of Africa, India and the Americas.
Growing Region: Annual: zones 3 to 10. As a perennial in zones 9 and 10.
Flowers: Summer.
Flower Details: White flowers; plants are usually grown for their showy fruits.
Foliage: Feathery.
Fruit: Round.
Sow Outdoors: 1/2 inch (12mm). Following last frost. Spacing 20 to 48 inches (50 to 120 cm).
Sow Indoors: It is a good idea to start off indoors in order to prolong the growing season. Germination time: three to five weeks. Temperature 65 to 70°F (18 to 21°C). Seven to eight weeks before expected last frost. Transplant outdoors a few weeks after the last frost; minimum temperature should not fall below 40°F (5°C).
Requirements: Full sunlight. Good drainage. Ordinary soils. Regular watering. Supply a trellis. Propagate from cuttings taken in the spring.
Family: Sapindaceae.
Miscellaneous: Invasive species in Southern USA and South Africa.
If planning to grow Cardiospermum outdoors it is best to sow out the seed after the last frost of spring at a depth of 12 mm into well drained soil. If you plan to grow heart pea seedlings indoors first then the seed should be planted about 8 weeks before it is due to be planted out in the middle of spring. Germination of heart pea should take place at about 20°C and takes from three to four weeks.
Seedlings should be transplanted into a sunny area of the garden at a spacing of around 60 cm.
As Cardiospermum is a climber it will require a trellis for support; it also requires frequent watering.
I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Cardiospermum plants. You may also enjoy the following Gardener's HQ Sapindaceae growing guides: How to grow Acer palmatum Dissectum and Aesculus hippocastanum plants.