How to Grow Canary Creeper Vine

By: Angela Judd | December 14, 2022

This cousin of nasturtiums loves to climb. Learn how to grow canary creeper vine, which will quickly and beautifully cover your favorite trellis.

Canary Creeper (Tropaeolum peregrinum)

Native to South America, canary creeper flowers resemble the feather wings of a canary. Although it is generally grown as an annual, canary creeper can be a perennial in zones 9 and above. It can grow up to 12 feet in length each year, and its flowers and leaves are edible.

This is what Canary Creeper seeds look like.

Canary Creeper Vine growing on a trellis.

This is what Canary Creeper flowers look like.

This is what Canary Creeper Vine flowers look like.

How to grow Canary Creeper Vine

Canary creeper vine planting information:

When to plant: Plant when soil temperatures are 70°F

Blooms: Summer – Fall in mild summer climates

Size and spacing details for canary creeper vine:

Plant 1-2 seeds every 36-48 inches (91-121 cm). Keep seeds moist until they germinate.

Grows 8-10 feet (2.5-3m) tall and 1-2 feet (60-90cm) wide. Canary Creeper Vine easily climbs, twines and spreads well; it quickly covered my 8 foot trellis.

Canary creeper vine growing tips:

No fertilizer or deadheading needed. Just like with regular nasturtiums flowers develop into seeds. Collect the seeds if you don’t want to reseed.

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 in Arizona:

I started canary creeper from seeds directly in the garden in December, and the fern-like vines quickly climbed up my favorite arch trellis. When temperatures began to climb in early summer, the vine began to die back.