Thunbergia plants are half hardy climbing plants.
They bloom from summer to autumn, and usually carry flat or trumpet like flowers.
Thunbergia alata - Black-eyed Susan Vine by Blumenbiene; Creative Commons.
Thunbergia flowers may be white, yellow or orange, and often have a black centre.
Thunbergia Mysorensis - Clock Vine by Sree314.
There are many different species of Thunbergia grown in the garden. Some of the common names of plants belonging to this genus include Black eyed Susan Vine, Orange clock vine, Dolls Shoes, Clock vine, and Sky vine.
Thunbergia alata (Black-eyed Susan Vine), photograph by Forest and Kim Starr; CC.
Thunbergia grandiflora (Bengal Clockvine / Blue Skyflower / Skyvine), photograph by Bach Arul Ziegen; CC.
Thunbergia erecta (Bush Clockvine), photograph by Mauro halpern; CC.
Thunbergia laurifolia (Laurel Clockvine / Blue Trumpet Vine), picture by Forest and Kim Starr; CC.
Common Names: Clockvine, Black Eyed Susan Vine, Thunbergias, Brick and Butter Vine, Dolls Shoes, Blue Trumpet Vine, Laurel Clock Vine.
Life Cycle: Half hardy annual. Half hardy perennial.
Height: 80 to 320 inches (200 to 800 cm).
Native: Southern and Eastern Africa, South Asia.
Growing Region: Zones 5 to 10.
It is best to start growing Black Eyed Susan Vine and other Thunbergia plants indoors when growing from seeds. The process should be started about 7 or 8 weeks before the expected middle of spring.
The seeds should be sown into peat pots and lightly covered. It should take about two or three weeks for Thunbergia seeds to germinate at a temperature of 18 to 25 degrees centigrade (64 to 77°F).
Once ready, transplant the Thunbergia vine outdoors in mid spring (when it always remains above 10 degrees centigrade(50°F)). Ideally, use a spacing of 30 to 50 cm (12 to 20 inches).
Ideally the vines should grow in a sunny or a partially shaded area of the garden. This should have a moist, organic soil.
These vines like to have a moist soil, so keep well watered during the growing season.
If you require more black-eyed Susan vine, Clockvine, or other Thunbergia, then you can take cuttings in the spring.
I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Thunbergia plants. You may also enjoy the following Gardener's HQ growing guides: How to grow Acanthus hungaricus; Wild Petunia, and Ruellia plants.