Thunbergia alata

Black-eyed Susan vine — a charming, fast-growing twining climber smothered in orange, yellow, apricot and cream flowers, each with a dark chocolate eye.
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Thunbergia alata — black-eyed Susan vine

Thunbergia alata is the botanical name for black-eyed Susan vine, a charming, fast-growing twining climber smothered in warm orange, yellow, apricot and cream flowers, each centred with a dark chocolate eye. It is the species behind our thunbergia range within the flower seed collection.

History & origin

Native to eastern Africa, this tender climber was introduced to gardens for its cheerful, long-lasting colour and quickly became a favourite for clothing trellises, arches and baskets through the summer in cooler climates, where it is grown as an annual.

The genus Thunbergia honours the Swedish botanist Carl Peter Thunberg, a pupil of Linnaeus, while the species epithet alata means winged, referring to the small wing-like flanges along the leaf stalks.

Botanical characteristics

A slender twining annual reaching a couple of metres, it carries arrowhead-shaped leaves and a long, generous succession of flat, five-lobed flowers with their signature dark throat. Left to twine it climbs readily through supports among our climbing flowers; grown in a pot or basket it trails attractively, sitting equally well in our container-friendly flowers.

Growing Thunbergia alata from seed

Sow under cover in early to mid spring in warmth, covering the seed lightly. Grow on frost-free and plant out into full sun in a sheltered spot once the weather warms, giving it strings, canes or a frame to climb; keep it watered and it flowers freely right through to autumn. Our flower growing guide and flower sowing calendar cover the timing.

Ready to grow black-eyed Susan vine? Browse the varieties or learn the basics first.

Related categories: Thunbergia · Climbing Flowers · Container Flowers · Annual Flowers · All Flower Seeds

At SeedsChoice, every order ships from Meppel, NL with fast, tracked EU delivery.

What is Thunbergia alata?
It is the botanical name for black-eyed Susan vine, a tender east-African climber grown as an annual for its dark-eyed orange and yellow flowers. Can I grow it in a hanging basket?
Yes — without support it trails attractively, so it works just as well spilling from a basket or pot as climbing a trellis. When should I sow the seed?
Sow under cover in early to mid spring in warmth, then plant out into full sun once the weather has warmed. How do I keep it flowering?
Give it a sheltered, sunny spot with something to twine up, keep it watered, and it flowers freely right through to autumn.