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Arizona Vine Planting Guide: A Visual Guide for Low Desert Vines

You’ve come to the right place if you are looking for vines that grow well in Arizona. Many types of vines are easy to grow and thrive year-round in the low desert, which includes elevations below 3500 ft in the Southwest, such as the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas.


Article Outline:

Click on the vine name to go directly to that vine:




Why Grow Vines?

Vines add vertical dimension and beauty to our gardens and landscapes, but it can be tricky to know which one to plant and where to plant it. This Arizona Vine Planting Guide shares some of my favorite vines that grow well in Arizona and gives growing and planting details for each one. Looking for trellis ideas? This post shares some of my favorites

Vines are an excellent option for small gardens because they require relatively little space and often provide a large impact. Use vines to create shade, cover bare fences and walls, grow food, attract pollinators, and add beauty to your landscape. Check out the end of this Arizona Vine Planting Guide for some of my favorite annual vines.


Questions answered by this vine planting guide:

  • “Which vines can handle full Arizona sun?” 
  • “Will this vine grow in the shade?”
  • “Can this vine take the heat from a reflected wall?”
  • “Could I plant this vine by my pool? Is it messy?”
  • “When does this vine bloom?” 
  • “Will this vine climb on its own, or does it need a trellis?” 
  • “How big does this vine get?”

Black-eyed Susan Vine (Thunbergia alata)

How to grow black-eyed Susan vine in Arizona

  • When to plant black-eyed Susan vine: Spring and fall.
  • Where to plant black-eyed Susan vine: Needs afternoon shade. May not survive summer.
  • How big does black-eyed Susan vine get? Grows 6-10 feet (1.8-3m) tall and 1-2 feet (60-90cm) wide.
  • Do I need to provide support for black-eyed Susan vine to grow vertically? Yes. It can be used as a ground cover or grown up a trellis. 
  • What color are black-eyed Susan vine flowers? Yellow or orange.
  • Is black-eyed Susan vine messy? Some leaf drop, but not much.
  • Good to know: Grown as an annual from seed or transplant in the low desert of Arizona. Frost kills the top of the plant but not the roots. Avoid reflected heat in hot summer areas. Pests and problems may include red spider mites and aphids.
How to Grow Black-Eyed Susan Vine

Read this post for more information about growing Black-Eyed Susan vine.


Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spectabillis)

How to grow bougainvillea in Arizona:

  • When to plant bougainvillea in Arizona: Spring and fall. Bougainvilleas often die back with cold weather but regrow in the spring. Foliage hardy to 30°F; roots hardy to 20°F. 
  • Where to plant bougainvillea: For the best blooms, choose an area that receives full sun. Bougainvilleas do well even in west-facing reflected afternoon sun. Bougainvilleas tolerate alkaline soil and extreme heat.
  • How big does bougainvillea get? Depending on the variety, they can be 15′-30′ tall and 10′-20′ wide. Fast growing. Grows well in containers. Containers help to control the size. 
  • Do I need to provide support for bougainvillea to grow vertically? Yes.
  • What color are bougainvillea flowers*? Most common color is magenta, but also comes in pink, salmon, white, orange, and red. *Bougainvillea flowers are tiny and white. The colorful part of bougainvillea are the bracts surrounding the small flowers. 
  • When does bougainvillea bloom? The largest flush of blooms is from October – May. 
  • Is bougainvillea messy? Yes. Prune frost-damaged or dead limbs in spring. Prune lightly in the summer if needed. 
  • Good to know: Drought-tolerant once established. Fertilize young plants with a balanced organic fertilizer each spring and fall. Fertilize established plants only occasionally. Water every 10 days during the summer and monthly in the winter. 

Canary Creeper (Tropaeolum peregrinum)

How to grow Canary Creeper vine in Arizona

  • When to plant canary creeper: I started canary creeper from seeds directly in the garden in December, and the fern-like vines quickly climbed up my favorite arch trellis. The vine began to die back when temperatures began to climb in early summer.
  • Where to plant canary creeper: Probably won’t survive summer. Plant in full sun for growing during the cooler months.
  • How big does a canary creeper get? Grows 8-10 feet (2.5-3m) tall and 1-2 feet (60-90cm) wide.
  • Do I need to provide support for canary creeper to grow vertically? Yes. Canary Creeper Vine easily climbs, twines, and spreads well; it quickly covered my 8-foot trellis. 
  • What color are canary creeper flowers? Yellow.
  • Is canary creeper messy? No. Drops some leaves, may drop seeds.
  • Good to know: Grown as an annual from seed in the low desert of Arizona. The Canary Bird flowers, young leaves, and fruit are edible and, like its cousin, the nasturtium, has the same peppery taste.
How to Grow 
Canary Creeper Vine

Read this post for more information about growing Canary Creeper Vine.


Cape Honeysuckle (Tecomaria capensis)

How to grow cape honeysuckle in Arizona:

  • When to plant cape honeysuckle in Arizona: Spring and fall. Hardy to 28°F. 
  • Where to plant cape honeysuckle: Full sun to partial shade. 
  • How large is cape honeysuckle? 3′-20′ tall and 5′ wide. Fast growing. 
  • Do I need to provide support for cape honeysuckle? Yes. Can be trained as a vine with support or pruned to a bush. 
  • What color are cape honeysuckle flowers? Bright orange-red.
  • When does cape honeysuckle bloom? Year-round in frost-free weather.
  • Is cape honeysuckle messy? Mild litter. Blooms and spent leaves drop throughout year.
  • Good to know: Attracts hummingbirds. Needs moderate water. Branches may die back in cold weather. Prune dead branches after last fall frost when new growth appears.

Cardinal Climber Vine (Ipomoea sloteri)

How to grow Cardinal Climber vine in Arizona

  • When to plant cardinal climber: Spring and Fall.
  • Where to plant cardinal climber: Choose a location with full sun to partial sun in the cooler months. Does not grow well during the summer in the low desert of Arizona.
  • How big does cardinal climber get? Grows 8-10 feet (2.5-3m) tall and 1-2 feet (60-90cm) wide.
  • Do I need to provide support for cardinal climber to grow vertically? Yes. Support the twining stems and then stand back and watch it grow.
  • What color are cardinal climber flowers? Red or white.
  • Is cardinal climber messy? Some leaf litter.
  • Good to know: Grown as an annual from seed in the low desert of Arizona. The Cardinal climber vine is a morning glory family member, accounting for its vigorous climbing habits. No fertilizer or deadheading is needed. The vine is useful for decorating fences, arbors, or mailboxes.
How to Grow Cardinal Climber Vine

Read this post for more information about how to grow Cardinal Climber vine.


Carolina Jasmine (Gelsemium sempervirens)

How to grow Carolina jasmine in Arizona:

  • When to plant Carolina jasmine in Arizona: Spring and fall. Evergreen.
  • Where to plant Carolina jasmine: Afternoon shade. 
  • How large is Carolina jasmine? 10′-15′ tall and wide. Fast growing. 
  • Do I need to provide support for Carolina jasmine? Yes. Vine gets top-heavy, prune back by 1/3 every year or cut back heavily every few years. 
  • What color are Carolina jasmine flowers? Yellow.
  • When does Carolina jasmine bloom? Late winter. 
  • Is Carolina jasmine messy? Mild litter. 
  • Good to know: Leaves may get chlorosis. All parts of the plant are poisonous. 

Cat’s Claw Vine (Macfadyena unguis-cati)

How to grow cat’s claw vine in Arizona:

  • When to plant cat’s claw vine in Arizona: Spring and fall. Hardy to about 20°F. 
  • Where to plant cat’s claw vine: Full sun to partial shade. Does best with north or east exposure. 
  • How large is cat’s claw vine? 30′ tall and 30′ wide. VERY fast growing. 
  • Do I need to provide support for cat’s claw vine? No. Long stems attach themselves to most surfaces with claw like tendrils. 
  • What color are cat’s claw vine flowers? Yellow
  • When does cat’s claw vine bloom? Spring.
  • Is cat’s claw vine messy? Mild litter. Loses leaves in cold winters. 
  • Good to know: Very aggressive and should not be planted where it can damage structures or cover existing plants. 

Climbing Roses (Rosa species)

How to grow climbing roses in Arizona:

  • When to plant climbing roses in Arizona: Plant bare-root roses in January and container-grown roses in the spring and fall. Hardiness depends on the variety grown. 
  • Where to plant climbing roses: Full sun. Afternoon shade is preferred. Plant in a fertile, well-draining soil amended with compost. Plant above soil level. Mulch well.
  • How big do climbing roses get? Up to 15′ tall and 15′ wide, depending on the variety. Lightly prune to remove damaged stems in September. Prune heavily in January. Do not prune vertical canes until they are as large as you would like them. 
  • Do I need to provide support for climbing roses? Yes.  
  • What color are climbing roses flowers? Varies. 
  • When do climbing roses bloom? Spring – early summer and late fall. 
  • Are climbing roses messy? No. Keep spent roses deadheaded.
  • Good to know: Does best with regular feeding of balanced organic fertilizer every month during the growing season (Feb – May, and September – October). Water deeply 2-3 times a week during the summer; less often during cooler months. 

Coral Vine (Queen’s Wreath – Antigonon leptopus)

How to grow coral vine (queen’s wreath) in Arizona:

  • When to plant coral vine in Arizona: Spring and fall. Coral vine dies back with cold weather but regrows in the spring. Foliage hardy to 28°F; roots hardy to 20°F
  • Where to plant coral vine: Full sun to partial sun. Tolerates hot areas. Can be grown in native soil or fertile soil but needs well-draining soil. 
  • How big does coral vine get? 15′-30′ tall and 15′- 30′ wide. Very fast grower. Can be invasive in other climates. 
  • Do I need to provide support for coral vine? Yes. Grows well along an arbor or trellis. 
  • What color are coral vine flowers? Most often pink, but occasionally white or red. 
  • When does coral vine bloom? Blooms are showiest in October, but occasional blooms from spring through frost.
  • Is coral vine messy? Seasonally. Coral vine drops most of its leaves in winter. Cut back to a several inches above the ground each spring. Will regrow quickly. Prune lightly in the summer to maintain shape or train. 
  • Good to know: Apply a balanced organic fertilizer to young plants in early spring. Mulch well. Water established plants weekly during the summer. Rainfall is typically enough for winter watering. 
  • Learn more about How to Grow Coral Vine in this article.

Creeping Fig (Ficus pumilla)

How to grow creeping fig in Arizona:

  • When to plant creeping fig in Arizona: Spring and fall. Evergreen. 
  • Where to plant creeping fig: Most often used for covering tall structures and walls. Dense cover of dark green foliage. 
  • How big does creeping fig get? 30′ – 40′ tall and 30′- 40′ wide. High climbing evergreen vine. 
  • Do I need to provide support for creeping fig? No. Uses aerial rootlets to climb and attach to masonry and almost any surface. Can be invasive. 
  • What color are creeping fig flowers? No flowers
  • Is creeping fig messy? Mild litter throughout the year. 
  • Good to know: Do not plant within proximity to water features to avoid damage from roots. Water deeply. 

Grape Ivy (Cissus trifoliata)

How to grow grape ivy in Arizona:

Arizona grape ivy is native to Arizona and is adapted to the soil and heat of the desert. It prefers shady conditions and grows rapidly. 

  • When to plant grape ivy: Spring and Fall. Foliage hardy to 30°F; roots hardy to 20°F.
  • Where to plant grape ivy: Partial to full shade. Tolerates most soils. Plant deeply and mulch well. 
  • How big does grape ivy get? 20”-30′ tall and 10′-20′ wide.
  • Do I need to provide support for grape ivy? Yes. Can be used as a ground cover but needs a trellis or arbor to climb. Tendrils will reach out and climb the trellis. 
  • What color are grape ivy flowers? Very small white flowers that develop into even smaller grapes (the birds love them). 
  • When does grape ivy bloom? Late spring and summer. 
  • Is grape ivy messy? Loses some leaves during the winter; will drop all leaves in cold winters. Prune back to the ground in the spring to reduce the size or reinvigorate the vines. 
  • Good to know: Drought-tolerant once established; water every 2-3 weeks in the summer. Grows well in containers. Containers help to control the size. 

Grapes (Vitis vinifera)

How to grow grapes in Arizona:

Varieties of grapes that grow well in Arizona: Thompson Seedless; Ruby Seedless; Beauty Seedless; Flame Seedless.

Best time to plant grapes in Arizona: October, March – April.

Months to harvest: July – August.

Tips for how to grow grapes in Arizona: 

  • Roots go 2 feet deep; plant in rich soil.
  • Water slowly, deeply, and infrequently. During the summer, water every 7 to 10 days.
  • Fertilize mature grapes in February and May.
  • Learn how to train and prune. Prune while dormant in the winter.
  • Look out for Western grape leaf skeletonizer; use Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt.) to control.
  • Provide support for growing grapes. 
  • Seasonal litter; grapes are deciduous. 

Lady Bank’s Rose (Rosa banksiae)

How to grow Lady Bank’s rose in Arizona:

Lady Bank’s rose is a large, heat-tolerant and disease-resistant rose that grows well in the low desert. 

  • When to plant Lady Bank’s rose: Spring and fall. Hardy to 25°F. Almost evergreen. 
  • Where to plant Lady Bank’s rose: Full sun; handles reflected heat; deep well-draining fertile soil. Add compost to planting area and plant slightly above the soil line. Mulch well, but keep mulch away from the bark. 
  • How big does Lady Bank’s rose get? 10′-20′ tall and 12′-20′ wide. Fast growing.
  • Do I need to provide support for Lady Bank’s rose? Yes, train along an arbor, trellis or fence. 
  • What color are Lady Bank’s rose flowers? Yellow or white.
  • When does Lady Bank’s rose bloom? April. Blooms form on old wood. Prune in spring to remove crossing, long, and spent canes at the base. 
  • Is Lady Bank’s rose messy? No, but it requires pruning each spring. 
  • Good to know: Does best with regular feeding of balanced organic fertilizer every other month during the growing season (Feb – May and September – October). 

Lavender Star Flower (Grewia occidentalis)

How to grow lavender star flower in Arizona:

  • When to plant lavender star flower in Arizona: Spring and fall. Hardy to 28°F.
  • Where to plant lavender star flower: Full sun to partial shade. Benefits from afternoon shade in the low desert. Does best with well-draining fertile soil. Add compost to planting area and plant slightly above the soil line. 
  • How big does lavender star flower get? 6′-10′ tall and 10′ wide. Fast growing. Cut back every couple of years to reinvigorate. 
  • Do I need to provide support for lavender star flower? Yes, if you want to train it as a vine. Lavender star flower does well when trained along an arbor, trellis, or fence. To train as a bush, keep branches trimmed back. 
  • What color are lavender star flowers? Purple.
  • When does lavender star flower bloom? Largest flush of blooms is in late spring with occasional flowering throughout the year.
  • Is lavender star flower messy? No, but it requires regular pruning. 
  • Good to know: Does best with regular feeding of an organic fertilizer for acid loving plants 2-3 times a year. 

Lilac Vine (Hardenbergia violacea)

How to grow lilac vine in Arizona:

  • When to plant lilac vine in Arizona: Spring and fall.  Hardy to 20°F. Evergreen vine. 
  • Where to plant lilac vine: Full sun to partial sun. Can be grown in native soil or fertile soil but needs well-draining soil. 
  • How big does lilac vine get? 15′ tall and 10′ wide; fast growing.
  • Do I need to provide support for lilac vine? Yes, twining vines require support to climb. Good grown along a fence or an arbor or trellis. 
  • What color are lilac vine flowers? Most often purple, but also white and pink.
  • When does lilac vine bloom? Winter to spring. 
  • Is lilac vine messy? Drops leaves occasionally; low litter. Prune in spring after bloom to remove dead or damaged wood. Do not prune in summer. Leaves are evergreen. 
  • Good to know: Drought-tolerant once established. Fertilize young plants with a balanced organic fertilizer each spring and fall. Fertilize established plants only occasionally.

Love in a Puff (Cardiospermum halicacabum)

How to grow Love in a Puff in Arizona

  • When to plant love in a puff: Start indoors in late summer and plant outside in the fall, and it will bloom through the cooler months. Love in a puff is very sensitive to cold. Cover if it freezes.
  • Where to plant love in a puff: Plant in full sun for the most blooms. Does best with regular water and well-drained soil.
  • How big does love in a puff get? Love in a puff grows up to 10 feet (3.5 meters) tall.
  • Do I need to support love in a puff to grow vertically? Yes.
  • What color are love in a puff flowers? Small white flowers and green lanterns.
  • Is love in a puff messy? Each lantern contains seeds that will drop and reseed – deadhead if desired to prevent rampant reseeding. It can be invasive in some climates.
  • Good to know: Grown as an annual from seed in the low desert of Arizona. Simple-to-care-for annual vine with tiny white blossoms and green pods that resemble paper lanterns. Love in the puff is also called Balloon Vine or Heartseed Vine.
How to Grow Love in a Puff Vine

Read this post for more information about how to grow Love in a Puff.


Arizona Vine Planting Guide: A Visual Guide of Vines that Grow Well in Arizona


Morning Glory Vine

How to grow morning glory vine in Arizona

  • NOTE: Check local planting regulations before planting, as many varieties of morning glory are considered invasive in some areas (including Arizona). Grown as an annual from seed in the low desert of Arizona
  • When to plant morning glory: In the fall or spring after the danger of frost is passed.  Plant seeds directly in the garden once soil temperatures are 65 degrees or above or started indoors 4-6 weeks before the final frost date for your area.
  • Where to plant morning glory: Grows in full sun or partial shade. Morning Glory plants prefer full sun, so pick an area with direct sunlight for 6-8 hours. Morning glories thrive in average to poor soil, where they will quickly climb trellises or fences.
  • How big does morning glory get? Grows 15 feet (4.5m) tall and 1-2 feet (60-90cm) wide.
  • Do I need to provide support for morning glory to grow vertically? Yes.
  • What color are morning glory flowers? Blue, red, white.
  • Is morning glory messy? Drops some leaves and spent blooms.
  • Good to know: Morning glories begin to flower after the summer solstice when daylight gets shorter and continues through frost. Each flower only lasts a day; it opens in the morning and closes in the evening.
How to Grow 
Morning Glory Vine

Read this post for more information about growing morning glory vine.


Passion Flower (Passiflora caerulea)

How to grow passion flower vine in Arizona

  • When to plant passion flower: Soak seeds for 24 hours and direct sow or start indoors prior to planting in the spring or fall. It must be in the ground for the winter before it blooms. Plant seeds ¼” deep.
  • Where to plant passion flower: Prefers full sun and deep, well-drained, rich soil.
  • How big does passion flower get? Grows to 15 -30 feet (4.5-9m) tall.
  • Do I need to provide support for passion flower to grow vertically? Yes.
  • What color are passion flowers? Purple, white.
  • Is passion flower messy? Some leaf drop, minor.
  • Good to know: The prolific vines of passion flowers produce elaborate flowers. The vines and flowers of this warm region perennial vine attract pollinators and are a host plant for Gulf Fritillary Butterflies

Passion Fruit (Passiflora edulis)

How to grow passion fruit in Arizona:

  • When to plant passion fruit in Arizona: Spring and fall. Protect from frost. Hardy to 30°F.
  • Where to plant passion fruit: Vine grows full sun, but fruiting is best with morning sun and afternoon shade. Grows best in deep, rich, well-draining soil. 
  • How big does passion fruit get? 10′-20′ tall and 10′ -20′ wide. Prune to control size and spread.
  • Do I need to provide support for passion fruit? Yes. 
  • What color are passion fruit flowers? Large white and purple flowers that develop into fruit if pollinated. 
  • When does passion fruit bloom? Spring. Fruit falls to the ground when ripe. 
  • Is passion fruit messy? Yes. Drops leaves throughout the growing season. 
  • Good to know: May take 2-3 years to begin producing fruit. Needs regular water. Apply citrus fertilizer in the spring and each month throughout the growing season. Passion fruit vines usually only live about 7 years. 

Pink Trumpet Vine (Podranea ricasoliana)

How to grow pink trumpet vine in Arizona:

  • When to plant pink trumpet vine in Arizona: Spring and fall. Foliage hardy to 25°F; roots hardy to 10°F.
  • Where to plant pink trumpet vine: Full sun to partial sun. Tolerant of strong sunlight. Can be grown in native soil or fertile soil but needs well-draining soil. 
  • How big does pink trumpet vine get? 20′ tall and 10′ wide. Moderate grower. 
  • Do I need to provide support for pink trumpet vine? Yes. Grows well along a wall or trellis. can be grown as a shrub or trained on a trellis. 
  • What color are pink trumpet vine flowers? Pink and purple. Large trumpet-shaped blooms are striking.  
  • When does pink trumpet vine bloom? September – January
  • Is pink trumpet vine messy? Seasonally. Trumpet vine drops most of its leaves in winter. Prune in early spring (when new growth appears) to remove dead or damaged wood. Prune lightly as needed to maintain shape. Every other year prune back to the ground or main trunk to reinvigorate. Best time to prune is in winter or early spring before new growth appears. 
  • Good to know: It may take 2 years to become established. Does best with a balanced organic fertilizer feeding each spring. Mulch well before summer. Water weekly during the summer, every 2 weeks in the fall and spring, and each month in the winter once established. Water deeply. 

Potato Vine (Solanum jasminoides)

How to grow potato vine in Arizona:

  • When to plant potato vine in Arizona: Spring and fall. Hardy to 25°F.  Evergreen. 
  • Where to plant potato vine: Full sun. 
  • How big does potato vine get? 30′ tall and 10′ wide. Moderate grower. Prune each year in early spring. 
  • Do I need to provide support for potato vine? Yes. Twining vines do best with support. 
  • What color are potato vine flowers? White.
  • When does potato vine bloom? Spring and summer. 
  • Is potato vine messy? Low litter. 
  • Good to know: Grow on an overhead structure to provide summer shade. Moderate water use. 

Purple Hyacinth Bean (Lablab purpureus)

How to grow purple hyacinth vine in Arizona

  • When to plant purple hyacinth vine: Plant in the low desert of Arizona from the middle of March through the end of May. Grown as a perennial in zones 10-11, purple hyacinth bean vine loves the heat. In cooler zones, it is grown as an annual from seeds planted in the spring.
  • Where to plant purple hyacinth vine: While generally low maintenance, purple hyacinth bean vine requires moist, well-draining soil in a sunny location. Plants grown in full sun have more blooms and more vigorous vines.
  • How big does purple hyacinth vine get? Sprawls up to 20 feet.
  • Do I need to provide support for purple hyacinth vine to grow vertically? Yes. The vines may need some guidance finding the trellis, but once there, they will twine and wrap easily around, up, and maybe back down again.
  • What color are purple hyacinth vine flowers? Purple.
  • Is purple hyacinth vine messy? Drops some leaves.
  • Good to know: Grown as an annual from seed in the low desert of Arizona. Although purple hyacinth beans are consumed in several parts of the world, preparation is tricky (due to the toxic levels of cyanogenic glucoside).

Sky Flower (Duranta erecta)

How to grow sky flower in Arizona:

  • When to plant sky flower in Arizona: Spring and fall. Hardy to 25°F.
  • Where to plant sky flower: Full sun to partial sun. Tolerates reflected heat but does best with afternoon shade. Grows well in most soils. Plant a little higher than the soil level. Mulch well.
  • How big does sky flower get? 10′-25′ tall and 6′-10′ wide. Fast grower. Prune annually to keep the desired shape. 
  • Do I need to provide support for sky flower? Yes, if you want to grow it as a vine, allow branches to grow long and provide support. Can also be pruned to bush form. 
  • What color are sky flower flowers? Typically purple, but blue and white varieties are available. 
  • When does sky flower bloom? Spring – summer.
  • Is sky flower messy? Seasonally. Sky flower will lose leaves in cold weather or drought conditions. 
  • Good to know: Water weekly in the summer and every few weeks in the winter. 

Snail Vine (Vigna caracalla)

How to grow snail vine in Arizona:

  • When to plant snail vine in Arizona: Spring and fall. Frost may kill top growth, cut back in early spring to rejuvenate growth. 
  • Where to plant snail vine: Excellent screen on wire fences, trellises, and block walls. 
  • How big does snail vine get? 15′-20′ tall wide. Fast grower. Prune annually to keep the desired shape. 
  • Do I need to provide support for snail vine? Yes, if you want to grow it as a vine, allow branches to grow long and provide support. 
  • What color are snail vine flowers? Typically lavender or pink.
  • When does snail vine bloom? Throughout the year.
  • Is snail vine messy? Seasonally. Snail vine will lose leaves in cold weather.
  • Good to know: Water weekly in the summer and every few weeks in the winter. Does best with regular deep watering. 

Arizona Vine Planting Guide: A Visual Guide of Vines that Grow Well in Arizona


Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides)

How to grow star jasmine in Arizona:

  • When to plant star jasmine in Arizona: Spring and fall. Hardy to 10°F. 
  • Where to plant star jasmine: Partial sun; star jasmine needs afternoon shade to grow well in the low desert of Arizona. 
  • How big does star jasmine get? 8′-20′ tall and 20′ wide. Requires minimal pruning. 
  • Do I need to provide support for star jasmine? Yes. It will twine up a fence or trellis. 
  • What color are star jasmine flowers? White or yellow. Highly perfumed flowers. 
  • When does star jasmine bloom? Late spring, usually around April. 
  • Is star jasmine messy? Some litter. Drops flowers after blooming and leaves occasionally throughout the year. 
  • Good to know: Mulch well to prevent soil from drying out. Can take two years to become established. Once established it grows well. 

Tangerine Crossvine (Bignonia capreolata)

How to grow tangerine crossvine in Arizona:

  • When to plant tangerine crossvine in Arizona: Spring and fall. Evergreen foliage. Stems may die back to the ground in severe winters but will regrow in spring. 
  • Where to plant tangerine crossvine: Full sun to partial shade. Tolerates full shade, but the best flower production is in sun. 
  • How big does tangerine crossvine get? 20′ -30′ tall and wide. Prune after flowering, if desired. Vigorous and fast-growing. 
  • Do I need to provide support for tangerine crossvine? No, climbs by branched tendrils with adhesive disks. Rapidly covers structures.  
  • What color are tangerine crossvine flowers? Tangerine
  • When does tangerine crossvine bloom? Summer. 
  • Is tangerine crossvine messy? Some litter. Drops flowers after blooming and occasionally leaves throughout the year. 
  • Good to know: Grows in average, well-drained soils. 

Trumpet Creeper (Campsis radicans)

How to grow trumpet creeper in Arizona:

  • When to plant trumpet creeper in Arizona: Spring and fall. Evergreen in mild winters. Foliage dies back in a frost but regrows in the spring.  
  • Where to plant trumpet creeper: Full sun. Excellent on south or west walls. 
  • How big does trumpet creeper get? 20′ tall and 20′ wide.  
  • Do I need to provide support for trumpet creeper? Yes. 
  • What color are trumpet creeper flowers? Orange. 
  • When does trumpet creeper bloom? Summer through fall. 
  • Is trumpet creeper messy? Some litter. Drops flowers after blooming and occasionally leaves throughout the year. 
  • Good to know: Cut back long shoots to encourage blooming. Lush plants with few blooms mean too much water and/or fertilizer. 

Yellow Orchid Vine (Mascagnia macroptera)

How to grow yellow orchid vine in Arizona:

  • When to plant yellow orchid vine in Arizona: Spring and fallHardy to 10°F. Semi-evergreen.
  • Where to plant yellow orchid vine: Full sun to partial shade. 
  • How big does yellow orchid vine get? 15′ tall and 15′ wide, twining.  
  • Do I need to provide support for yellow orchid vine? Yes. 
  • What color are yellow orchid vine flowers? Yellow, lightly fragranced. Flowers are followed by large paperlike multi-winged pods that resemble butterflies. 
  • When does yellow orchid vine bloom? Late spring through early summer. 
  • Is yellow orchid vine messy? Seasonal litter, no thorns. 
  • Good to know: Can be pruned to a shrub or ground cover if grown without support. 

Annual vines (or vining plants) that grow well in Arizona:


Additional Planting Guides for the Low Desert of Arizona

Vegetable Planting Guide: A Visual Planting Guide for Low Desert Vegetables
Arizona Herb Planting Guide_ A Visual Planting Guide for Low Desert Herbs
Arizona Fruit Planting Guide_ A Visual Planting Guide for Low Desert Fruit

Sources:


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13 comments on "Arizona Vine Planting Guide: A Visual Guide for Low Desert Vines"

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  1. Hi,
    Should I fertilize star jasmine? It’s less than 2 years old. It looks OK. It flowers but has few leaves and is very slow growing. It was planted in regular, non-amended Tempe soil.
    Thanks!

  2. This post and your video on vines provide such great information — thank you! After taking notes and talking in person to the guys at A&P and Treeland in Mesa, I’m getting a bit of conflicting information on some of these vines. What do you think would be the best choice to grow on a western exposure block wall? (And to make it even harder, I’d really love something evergreen that blooms white, blue or purple — not red/orange/yellow.) Potato vine fried there. A&P said Skyflower/Duranta wouldn’t make it, but Lilac Vine/Hardenbergia would. White bougainvillea comes to mind, but it’s possibly too messy with the pool nearby. I’m hoping to plant in fall and get the vine well established before summer arrives again. I’m willing to shade cloth it the first couple of summers if necessary.

  3. Want a vine on my arch that blooms but does not attract too many bees and is not toxic to the rabbits as we have many here in Sun City. Also want it to be pretty much evergreen and hardy is our mild winters. Any suggestions?

  4. Hi!
    I have a large window that frames our lovely cinder block wall here in the East valley. It’s our side yard wall, so there’s maybe four feet between the window and wall. I would love to plant a vine that will bring some color, variety and climb the wall, there’s a trellis. It’s on the east side of our home and receives minimal direct sun as it’s shaded by our neighbors’ house. Any recommendations? We’ve found plenty of full sun options, but not many others. Thank you for all your resources!

  5. Hi,
    This is such great information. We are having our backyard landscaping redone and it was suggested that we put Trumpet Creeper vines along one wall. It get full sun till later in the afternoon. My concern is that I’ve heard this vine can be very invasive and should not be planted to close to the house or other structures. The wall that it would be going on would have this right near our pool pump system and about 6′ – 8′ from the foundation of our home. Here is the video link that has us cautious of moving forward: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AI6d4XGccj8

    Any thoughts? Better, safer alterntatives?

    1. The vine he refers to is Campsis Radicans – different from the one in this blog post. But with any vine, it’s important to keep an eye on it.

  6. Hello Angela. I have a corner of my yard that I’m struggling with. It’s the southwest corner (so I guess that would be northeast facing?) I had 2 pink trumpet vines planted there 2 falls ago, and they both dried up completely and died in their first summer. I decided maybe they needed some shade since it was their first year since they were still getting tons of afternoon sun in that corner, so I planted them again last fall and shaded them and also tried different watering schedule and they died AGAIN this last summer. I’m at a loss for what to plant here if this plant won’t grow there since I was told this plant would work perfectly in this corner by an AZ Horticulturist. Any ideas on what went wrong, or alternative plant ideas to try there?
    Thank you so much!

    1. Hi Collette, both of the last two summers have been record breaking. You may have more luck with tangerine crossvine or coral vine. I’ve had better luck with both of those.