The Rhodochiton plant is a half hardy perennial climber. Plants grow to a height of about 3 metres (10 feet).
Rhodochiton plants have heart shaped leaves.
Rhodochiton atrosanguineum – Purple Bell Vine photograph by Gertrud K; under Creative Commons licence.
They bloom from summer through autumn. When in bloom they carry attractive multitudes of drooping purple to black tubular shaped flowers.
A common name for Rhodochiton is the Purple Bell Vine.
Rhodochiton atrosanguineus syn. Rhodochiton atrosanguineus syn. hodochiton volubilis
Rhodochiton atrosanguineus (Purple Bell Vine), photograph by peganum; CC.
Purple Bell Vine climbing up a wall, picture by David Short; CC.
Common Names: Purple Bell Vine.
Family: Plantaginaceae.
Life Cycle: Half hardy perennial, commonly grown as a half hardy annual by gardeners.
Height: 120 inches (300 cm).
Native: Central America.
Growing Region: Zones 6 to 10. As a perennial in zones 9 and 10.
It is probably best to start off Purple Bell Vines indoors. They should be started about 5 to 6 weeks before the last frost of spring.
The seeds will take about two to six weeks to germinate at a temperature of 15 to 18 degrees (59 to 64°F).
Rhodochiton seedlings should be transplanted outdoors at about 25 cm (10 inches) apart, a couple of weeks after the last frost of spring.
Purple Bell Vines should be grown in a sunny part of the garden in an ordinary soil.
If you require more Rhodochiton plants then cuttings of Purple Bell Vines can be took in spring and summer.
Purple Bell Vines are climbing plants, so will require a trellis or canes to grow upon.
I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Rhodochiton plants. You may also enjoy the following Gardener's HQ growing guides: How to grow Chickabiddy, Innocence, Digitalis, and Penstemon plants.