This weedy vine is native to the tropics of South Americain the morning glory family (Convolvulaceae). Alhough it is an annual, it spreads quickly by self-seeding. It grows rapidly, reaching 10-20 feet, but is not sturdy and requires support to grow upright. The delicate, fern-like foliage recoils from direct sunlight but expands after sundown. The bright scarlet red flowers are small, blooming from early summer to fall frost and are attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds. In NC the seeds will remain in the garden and grow the following spring. This plant grows in full sun in average soil and requires good drainage but adequate moisture. It tolerates deer, some drought, and both wet and dry soil conditions. Germination of seeds is aided by scarifying and soaking in water for 12-24 hours. It can be used on trellises and other vertical structures Although it has naturalized in some areas of the south and west, it isn't considered a threat to native plants. It is toxic to dogs, cats and horses though. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems. Can be somewhat weedy. More information on Ipomoea .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasionally Dry | Occasionally Wet
Available space
3 feet-6 feet
Mature size
Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in. | Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
High
Canopy layer
6 - Vine (vertical)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Climbing
Texture
Fine
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf arrangement
Other/more complex
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Delicate, fern-like compound leaves
Flower color
Red/Burgundy
Flower form
Cyme
Flower shape
Star; Tubular
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Small 3/4 inch red tubular flowers in clusters all summer
Bloom time
Fall; Summer
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Dry capsule that splits to release seeds
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
Thin green stems
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
Mexico to South America
Wildlife value
Members of the genus Ipomea support the following specialized bees: Melitoma taurea and Cemolobus ipomoeae. Flowers also attract humminbirds and butterflies.