How to Grow Cardinal Climber Vine

Cardinal climber brings the butterflies and hummingbirds with its tubular red flowers that bloom from spring through frost. The fern-like leaves resemble mini palm leaves as it twists and climbs nearly anything in their path. Learn how to grow Cardinal climber vine and add some to your garden today.

Cardinal Climber (Ipomoea x multifida)

The Cardinal climber vine is a morning glory family member, accounting for its vigorous climbing habits. Support the twining stems, then stand back and watch it grow.

This is what Cardinal climber vine seeds look like.

Cardinal climber vine growing on a trellis.

This is what Cardinal climber vine flowers look like.

How to grow Cardinal climber

Cardinal climber vine planting information:

Choose a location with full sun to partial sun. Cardinal climber vine tolerates poor or average soil. Overly rich soil results in lush foliage but fewer blooms. Often grown as a cool-season annual vine in zones 2-11.

Nick the seedcoat and direct sow after danger of frost have passed. Keep seeds moist until they germinate.

Blooms: Spring through frost in most areas

Size and spacing details for Cardinal climber vine:

Plant 1-2 seeds every 6-12 inches (15-30 cm).

Grows 8-10 feet (2.5-3m) tall and 1-2 feet (60-90cm) wide.

Cardinal climber vine growing tips:

No fertilizer or deadheading is needed. Flowers develop into seeds (poisonous), but seeds from seedlings are often inferior, don’t replant. The vine is useful for decorating fences, arbors, or mailboxes.

Are you looking for more information about how to grow vines?

This is just one of 10 vines that grow well from seed. Learn more about my other favorites in this blog post.

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. 

If this post about how to grow Cardinal climber vine was helpful, please share it: