The All Things Plants Most Popular Vines and Climbers

#1: Clematis (Clematis terniflora)

@critterologist says, "THUG ALERT! Even cutting it completely to the ground in early spring didn't stop it from taking over a trellis to either side in addition to its own space. When I put it in, I also didn't realize it was invasive -- and there's just no way to deadhead every bloom. I dug mine up, threw it out, and I'm still pulling seedlings out here and there 3 years later."

#2: Purple Hyacinth Bean (Lablab purpureus)

@plantladylin says, "Purple Hyacinth Bean is a fast growing annual vine with bright purple bean-like seedpods, and pretty pink flowers that attract butterflies and hummingbirds. The dried beans contain high concentrations of cyanogenic glucosides and are only edible after prolonged boiling."

@SongofJoy added, "HBV begins to bloom mid-summer and produces many seed pods by late fall. Seeds are numerous and easy to dry and save.

Soak seeds overnight before planting to speed up germination."

#3: Clematis (Clematis 'Rooguchi')

@Cottage_Rose says, "This variety and Sweet Autumn Clematis are the best clematises I have ever grown in my no-fuss garden. It blooms just about nonstop throughout the growing season. VERY carefree and easy to grow!"

@BookerC1 added, "The description on my plant tag, from Donahue's Clematis, reads:
The 2" bell-shaped flowers are intense deep blue/purple with lighter blue recurved petals. Flowers fade to indigo blue. Blooms June-September. Shade roots to keep roots cool and moist.""

#4: Moonflower (Ipomoea alba)

@gingin says, "I love this plant! Not only is it pretty, but it smells wonderful. It is fun to sit and watch it open up. Had one that was almost open and when I went to sniff it, it "exploded" in my face...way cool."

@Jenn added, "I love planting these together with morning glory. I plant them both in large rectangular planters, and let them climb up two trellises that I have mounted to the brick facing of the house. They look so beautiful! I find that though they're not terribly xeric, they can take a lot of heat, and are prolific growers. Both moonflowers and morning glory are annuals in my part of the world (North Texas), but they often reseed themselves and sprout back up in the spring. They actually reseed a little too well. I'm often pulling stray shoots out from parts of the garden where they're not meant to be! A little extra weeding is well worth having these beauties in your garden."

#5: Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans)

@jmorth says, "A woody tall-growing vine that is very attractive and does entice hummingbirds to flowers. One needs to weigh the positives and negatives when considering this plant. Hard to eradicate."

@SongofJoy added, "Trumpet Creeper, a perennial vine, has 3-inch long, striking, trumpet-shaped, red flowers in mid to late summer followed by decorative pods in the fall. It takes sun and any soil. Trumpet creeper, a very strong grower, is a great choice for adorning a fence, trellis, or mailbox in an informal setting."

#6: Clematis (Clematis 'Nelly Moser')

@plantladylin says, "I don't know anything about Clematises, but I've planted a few over the years, and 'Nelly Moser' is the only one that has survived and does well here in my zone 9b garden. I've seen really beautiful "Clems" in northern gardens and was so happy to finally find one that will grow in hot, humid Florida! I'm sure 'Nelly Moser' probably performs better in cooler climates, but I'm just happy it's still growing and doing okay in my garden. It was originally planted in full shade beneath a large Schefflera tree, but the winter of 2009/2010 killed the tree, and this Clematis still seems to be happy in full sun. I keep a thick layer of mulch in the flower bed, which helps to keep the roots cool during the heat of summer, but I may end up transplanting it to another shady area because the sun seems to fade the blooms, and I think the blooms are more vivid and much prettier when the plant is grown in shade. I read that this particular Clematis blooms on old canes, so it's never been pruned. It blooms from mid-March through April here in my garden and I consider it an easy, low-maintenance plant."

#7: Clematis (Clematis 'Multi Blue')

@clintbrown says, "The blooms are very vibrant and double/semi-double at times."

#8: Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens)

@plantladylin says, "Coral Honeysuckle is a non-aggressive trailing and twining woody vine that can reach heights to 20 feet. The flowers are red or orange in color, and are followed by bright red berries that the birds love! The flowers attract both hummingbirds and butterflies!"

@Marilyn added, "Taken from wikipedia's page at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...

"Lonicera sempervirens (trumpet honeysuckle, trumpet vine) is a species of honeysuckle native to the eastern United States.[1]

It is an evergreen twining climber growing to 20 ft or more through shrubs and young trees. The leaves are produced in opposite pairs, oval, up to 5 cm long and 4 cm broad; the leaves immediately below the flowers are perfoliate, joined at the base in a complete ring round the shoot. The flowers are produced in clusters of several groups of three together, tubular, 5 cm long, with five small lobes opening at the tip to expose the stamens and stigma; they are bright red to pinkish-red, and pollinated by Ruby-throated Hummingbirds and insects.[2][3]

It is commonly grown as an ornamental plant in gardens,[4] for its attractive flowers, and also as one of the best plants to attract hummingbirds.[3]""

#9: Wild Passion Flower (Passiflora incarnata)

@StephGTx says, "I am very thankful to the wonderful friends who introduced me to this wonderful vine. I love the flowers, fruit, and best of all the butterfies.

This plant is a Texas native and grows very well here with little care. It is a host plant for the Gulf Fritillary Butterfly.

In the herbal realms it is used to help treat anxiety, back pain, insomnia, and IBS."

#10: Blue Passion Flower (Passiflora caerulea)

@Joy says, "In a mild winter, which has been common here of late, Passiflora caerulea is evergreen. It will die to the ground in a cold winter and is late to come up in the spring. Can be invasive. Will send up new shoots at a fair distance from the original plant."

#11: Gloriosa Lily (Gloriosa superba)

@Dutchlady1 says, "The only climbing Lily."

@Sharon added, "This is a most amazing plant. I planted it in a pot during the worst of our summer drought. It grew in spite of the weather and has bloomed non stop since August. Until we have frost, my guess is that it will continue to bloom. Beautiful."

#12: Gloriosa Lily (Gloriosa superba 'Rothschildiana')

@jmorth says, "Some cultural notes on Gloriosa rothschildiana -
I usually grow mine in very large containers (14 to 20" +).
I place the tubers (which are often shaped like fingers, legs, or L's) 2 inches below the top of the soil, they are placed horizontally an inch or two apart, 3 to 6 per container. If using pots or containers, its a good idea to have a trellis in place so as not to accidentally pierce one when it is covered with soil later. They can grow upward (by tendrils at leaf's end) up to 8 feet per season. It's essential to provide a support for them to grow upward on. The soil must be free draining (adding some sand usually helps). For most of my containers I put a couple inches of styrofoam peanuts in the bottom (this keeps the weight more manageable and helps drainage). Mine usually bloom through the whole summer season. When they decline by fall, taper off watering. I move mine to the basement for overwinter storage. If utilizing large pots, they may be be left dry in the pots till spring, when it is recommended they be re-potted. When tapped out of their old pot, an amazing juxtaposition has often occurred in that the tubers migrate from the horizontal plane to become vertical.
I usually fertilize them with liquid Miracle Grow every 2 to 3 weeks.
One can ascertain when they'll come out of their dormancy by observing the tuber tips, which take on a pinkish coloration. At this point it is usually easier to establish which side goes up when planting because a rudimentary eye becomes visible and points upward. The basement here maintains a fairly constant average temperature around 60 degrees.
When grown outside, they prefer nighttime temps of 60 - 70 degrees, but they can tolerate temps down to 50 degrees. Preferred day temps are 75 degrees or higher with high humidity (typical midwest climate).
They can also be grown as houseplants or in the ground as summer plants.
At season's end or next season's beginning when you are extracting them from their habitat, it is easy to break them. If that happens, be not overly alarmed as each separate leg may bloom anyway."

#13: Honeysuckle (Lonicera x heckrottii 'Gold Flame')

@SongofJoy says, "This is a beautiful vine with an exquisite fragrance. Plant it somewhere nearby where the smell can permeate the surrounding air and be enjoyed frequently."

@Maridell added, "Cold Hardiness: -20 to -30 F. Fast growing but easy to prune and train."

#14: Cypress Vine (Ipomoea quamoclit)

@Newyorkrita says, "Some seed packets for this plant contain the mix colors while others contain the red flowers only. While I prefer the red flowers, the hummingbirds are very attracted to this vine and don't care about the flower color. A short, annual vine with lovely lacy folliage that is never overpowering."

#15: Morning Glory (Ipomoea tricolor 'Heavenly Blue')

@Zencat says, "While the leaves are okay, I could never see the flowers. They hid inside the foliage."

#16: Ornamental Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas 'Margarita')

@SongofJoy says, "Vines die in winter but tubers can be lifted and stored for planting again in the spring."

#17: Cardinal Climber (Ipomoea sloteri)

@Newyorkrita says, "The small red flowers of this annual vine are extremely attractive to hummingbirds. Makes a good substitute for Morning Glory vines as it doesn't grow nearly as quickly or as large. Looks especially nice grown on a small obelisk.

Rita, located on the north shore of Nassau County Long Island, NY zone 6/7 where it is humid in the summer."

#18: Wax Plant (Hoya carnosa 'Tricolor')

@Dodecatheon3 says, "Love my hoya, but it took a long time to get big enough to bloom. To me, the blooms smell vaguely of chocolate."

@threegardeners added, "I live in Ontario, Canada.
Hoya carnosa loves to be grown on the dry side. I water it every week and a half.
It will thrive in a north facing window. I have mine just to the side of a north window and it grows constantly.
It prefers to be very root-bound. Mine's been in the same pot for 15 years.
Misting the plant is also helpful."

#19: Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens 'Major Wheeler')

@SongofJoy says, "'Major Wheeler' has clusters of deep scarlet-red, 2" long, tubular flowers with yellow insides. Big red berries persist in fall and early winter. It is loaded with flowers from late spring on into the fall.

The plant is highly mildew resistant, the semi-evergreen leaves looking good all season long.

Coral Honeysuckle is best in full sun and average soil, but it would also do well in light shade.

This vine attracts hummingbirds. The plant is very choice, and it is not overly aggressive."

#20: Carolina Jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens)

@zuzu says, "Just a warning about the fragrance. It can be cloying. When I lived in Piedmont years ago, where this plant is almost invasive and seems to be a fixture in most gardens, my neighbors and I couldn't fall asleep at night unless we closed all the windows when it was in bloom. The scent was so strong that it kept us up at night otherwise."

#21: Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia)

@plantladylin says, "Virginia Creeper is a fast growing deciduous ornamental vine that can attain heights up to 50' and has beautiful deep burgundy foliage in the fall. It is native to Eastern North America, from Canada south to Florida, and west to Texas. This vine can be a nuisance in some regions, as it is here in my Florida garden. It's climbing up the trees, along fences and in some places along the ground."

#22: Bougainvilleas (Bougainvillea)

@Marilyn says, "Taken from wikipedia's page at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...

"Bougainvillea is a genus of flowering plants native to South America from Brazil west to Perú and south to southern Argentina (Chubut Province).

They are thorny, woody vines growing anywhere from 1 to 12 metres (3 ft 3 in to 39 ft 4 in) tall, scrambling over other plants with their spiky thorns. The thorns are tipped with a black, waxy substance. They are evergreen where rainfall occurs all year, or deciduous if there is a dry season. The leaves are alternate, simple ovate-acuminate. The actual flower of the plant is small and generally white, but each cluster of three flowers is surrounded by three or six bracts with the bright colours associated with the plant, including pink, magenta, purple, red, orange, white, or yellow. Bougainvillea glabra is sometimes referred to as "paper flower" because the bracts are thin and papery. The fruit is a narrow five-lobed achene.

The larvae of some Lepidoptera species also use them as food plants, for example the giant leopard moth (Hypercompe scribonia).

Bougainvilleas grow best in dry soil in very bright full sun and with frequent fertilization; but they require little water once established, and in fact will not flourish if over-watered.""

#23: Air Potato (Dioscorea bulbifera)

@plantladylin says, "Dioscorea bulbifera ("Air Potato") is a species of Yam with tubers beneath the soil that resemble oblong potatoes. It is a fast-growing, broad-leaved perennial vine that can attain heights to 150'. The vine forms bulbils in the leaf axils, which then sprout, forming new vines that grow into a thick mass. This plant is invasive here in Florida, taking over and displacing native plants. Although the foliage is rather attractive, the small white flowers are rarely seen. The uncultivated variety of this plant found in Florida is considered toxic, containing the steroid diosgenin."

#24: Wax Plant (Hoya carnosa)

@plantladylin says, "I have a few different Hoyas and I find the carnosa to be one of the easiest to grow. While there are a few Hoyas that love a lot of sun, the carnosa (at least here in Florida) prefers bright light but no direct sun. I learned this the hard way after finding very scorched foliage from leaving my plants out in the intense Florida sun. My very old carnosa is large and lush but doesn't bloom very often, only a sporadic flower or two every few years, but the smaller plants seem to bloom a couple of times a year. The blooms are quite pretty and have a slight fragrance in the evening hours and at night.

I grow my Hoyas (and most of my other plants) in a chunky fast draining potting medium consisting of mostly orchid bark mix with a little potting soil incorporated. This medium requires watering more often in the summer months, sometimes twice a week if we don't have rain, but I no longer have the problem of losing plants to soggy, rotting roots."

#25: Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica 'Halliana')

@Skiekitty says, "This can be a killer plant. I have one in my back yard that started to choke out my roses by the vines winding around the canes. Smells wonderful, so is worth it. Evergreen even in my zone (5). Needs a heavy support structure as it can get HUGE."

#26: Wax Plant (Hoya carnosa 'Hindu Rope')

@plantladylin says, "This is a hoya that is sometimes found in local garden centers and nurseries. My plant came as a large healthy plant from a friend. It grew and grew and bloomed its head off for a few years and I took many cuttings to root and give in trades. Unfortunately, the last two winters have taken a toll on this plant. It hasn't recovered and is almost totally gone. :("

#27: Corkscrew Vine (Vigna caracalla)

@plantladylin says, "The Corkscrew vine is a fast-growing perennial vine, twining and climbing to heights of 15 to 20 feet. Preferring full sun, humidity, and temperatures above 50ºF, the vine dies back in the winter. The beautiful and fragrant blooms are produced from summer to fall and have a snail-like appearance, giving it another common name of Snail Vine."

#28: Chinese Wisteria (Wisteria sinensis)

@gingin says, "I love the wisteria, but if you are not careful it will take over your world! I like to pull the vines/runners and make wreathes to decorate. Good for any season."

#29: Blue Sky Vine (Thunbergia grandiflora)

@plantladylin says, "Thunbergia grandiflora is a twining, flowering perennial vine with leathery elongated heart-shaped leaves and flowers in colors of sky blue to light violet. There is also a white flowering variety. This vine is fast growing in the south and a beautiful addition to the garden."

@stetchworth added, "I have mine on an arbor and in the spring it comes up from the ground and is a very fast grower. Starts blooming around July in my area. Beautiful shade of blue with a yellow throat. I cut mine back down to the ground in the winter before the first frost hits and I also mulch it. Comes back every spring."

#30: Passion Flower (Passiflora 'Incense')

@sheryl says, "Beautiful, almost other-worldly flowers on vigorous vines. Loves heat. Can survive some drought. I have grown this both in Phoenix, Arizona, and currently in Tennessee.

Passionflowers are a host plant for the Frittilary butterflies. They might partially defoliate the plant, but I've never seen one permanently harmed. The butterflies then come back and add to the show when the plant is in bloom."

#31: Confederate Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides)

@plantladylin says, "Trachelospermum jasminoides ("Confederate Jasmine") is native to China, but it has been popular in North America for centuries. Although not a true jasmine, it is a fast-growing, twining scrambling vine that can attain heights to 40'. It requires sun to partial shade to do well, is drought tolerant, and is pretty much pest free. Confederate Jasmine has extremely fragrant blooms from spring to early summer."

#32: Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo 'Black Beauty')

@Bonehead says, "Open bush habit allows an easier harvest of this traditional dark green zucchini. Mellow flavor. The blossoms can be batter fried."

#33: Cucumber (Cucumis sativus 'Marketmore 76')

@gardengus says, "I have grown this cucumber for several years and have always been pleased with its performance."

@farmerdill added, "Another in a long series of Marketmore releases from Cornell Univeristy. Added Resistance: downy mildew, powdery mildew, scab, cucumber mosaic virus. That appears to be the major difference from the original Marketmore. Marketmore 80, 82, 85, 86, 87, 88, 92, and 97 have also been introduced, each with additional disease resistance or freedom from bitterness but I have not tried them all. This one is pretty good."

#34: Pink Trumpet Vine (Podranea ricasoliana)

@GordonHawk says, "a strong strong grower.."

@ceci added, "It is a very good grower. It blooms al the end of summer and the beginning of fall. Hummingbirds love it!"

#35: Cucumber (Cucumis sativus 'Lemon')

@bitbit says, "This little cucumber starts out white and turns bright yellow as it matures. It's fine to eat at either stage, and it makes good pickles with an unusual shape when immature. I've never had bitterness from Lemon Cucumbers, and their unique look makes them popular for kids and party platters. Because the individual fruits are fairly small, a healthy vine will produce them in large numbers."

#36: Rose (Rosa 'Dublin Bay')

@Newyorkrita says, "This one has always been on my wish list, but I could never find it. I don't grow many climbers anyway. I just don't have the set-up for them, but I have always wanted to try this one."

@Calif_Sue added, "Noted by Antique Rose Emporium:
" 'Dublin Bay' is a very double, red climbing rose introduced in 1975. What makes it stand out amongst others is the size of its double blooms. They are easily 4 inches or larger. It is also very versatile in the garden as it can be grown effectively as a pillar rose or even in large containers where it will cascade over the sides. Disease resistant, cold hardy and fragrant.""

#37: Passion Flower (Passiflora 'Lady Margaret')

@plantladylin says, "I had not grown Passiflora until a couple of years ago and I love the red bloom of 'Lady Margaret'."

#38: Black-Eyed Susan Vine (Thunbergia alata 'Blushing Susie')

@Roses_R_Red says, "No matter when it's started, it doesn't bloom til midsummer and then goes on until first frost."

#39: Cat-brier (Smilax bona-nox)

@plantladylin says, "Saw Greenbriar is found in tropical, subtropical, and temperate areas around the world. It is a thorny vine that climbs trees and fences and can attain heights in excess of 20 feet. It will cover shrubs and other plants, forming prickly dense thickets. The green leaves are variable in shape and sometimes have yellowish blotches. The berries are an important food source for birds and other animals, and the dense thickets offer protection and shelter.

This thorny vine is considered a weed by many here in Florida. I find this plant growing in wooded scrub areas along our property line, as well as popping up and climbing around and through the chain link fence. It's hard to eradicate without digging up the rhizomes, which seem to go deep into the soil."

#40: Butterfly Pea (Clitoria ternatea)

@Boopaints says, "This beautiful plant is now on my dream garden list!"

@plantladylin added, "I received seeds for this plant in a trade a few years ago and it has become one of my favorite plants! It produces beautiful dark blue flowers from spring through fall and although I've not seen any butterflies attracted to it, the flowers sure do attract attention from people! Someone is always asking: "What is that plant with the lovely blue flowers?" Our local Home Depot had this plant for sale in their garden center in early summer this year, the first time I've seen it for sale here locally. There is a white flowering variety also, but the blue just grabs my attention!

I grow this one as a container plant with a trellis for support and use a chunky, well-draining potting medium. The plant seems to thrive in full sun most of the day and remains outside year round, where it will die down when we have freezing temperatures but always seems to return in spring."

#41: Cross Vine (Bignonia capreolata)

@frostweed says, "Crossvine is a showstopper when in bloom."

#42: Blue Glory Vine (Thunbergia battiscombei)

@plantladylin says, "Thunbergia battiscombei is a weak-stemmed perennial shrub rather than a climbing vine. To be trained upright, it must be tied to a support or have taller plants to lean on for support. Blue Glory has bright green heart-shaped leaves, fuzzy greenish-white buds, and dark blue to purple trumpet-shaped flowers. It is evergreen in frost-free areas."

#43: Sponge Luffa (Luffa cylindrica)

@dave says, "I grow this just as much as an ornamental annual as I do for its other uses. The large and plentiful yellow blooms are stunning and attractive to my bees. The fruit is edible when young and once ripened can be used for all the purposes that luffas are known for. Everyone should grow this wonderful plant."

#44: Mandevilla (Mandevilla sanderi Sun Parasol® Crimson)

@plantladylin says, "Mandevilla is a fast growing evergreen vine reaching heights of 8'. It needs a trellis or support for clinging/climbing. Mandevilla blooms from spring to fall."

#45: Golden Trumpet (Allamanda cathartica)

@plantladylin says, "Allamanda cathartica, native to Brazil, is a tropical twining vine that can also be pruned to shrub form. It has leathery bright green leaves and trumpet/funnel-shaped bright yellow flowers. The blooms are followed by prickly seed pods with winged seeds. This plant prefers bright sun to dappled shade and regular watering during the warm months. During the winter rest period it should be kept on the dry side."

#46: Asparagus Fern (Asparagus setaceus)

@plantladylin says, "I've always known Asparagus setaceus as the "Lace Fern" because of the lacy appearance of the leaves. I grow this one as a houseplant in bright indirect light with a little morning sun. The Lace Fern looks great in a hanging basket or as a single specimen tabletop plant. I try to keep the soil moist, not saturated, but there have been times where it's been in drought-like situations because of my lack of care and it has still done well as long as I don't let it go for an extremely long time without water.

Many may not know it, but this plant is actually not a true fern; it's a climbing, herbaceous vine-like plant that has leaves resembling a fern and in its natural habitat can attain heights of 15 to 20 feet. Asparagus setaceus is native to South Africa, but it's grown as an ornamental plant in many regions of the world and has become invasive in some locations where it has been introduced."

#47: Brown's Honeysuckle (Lonicera x brownii 'Dropmore Scarlet')

@Newyorkrita says, "Dropmore Scarlet is one of the trumpet-shaped Honeysuckles. Like all trumpet Honeysuckles, it is very attractive to hummingbirds although the flowers have no scent."

#48: Wild Yellow Passion Flower (Passiflora lutea)

@jmorth says, "An Illinois wildflower (bottom half of state).
Habitat - moist or rocky woods and thickets.
Wild turkey enjoy young shoots and tendrils for late spring snacks."

@SongofJoy added, "Yellow Passionflower is a climbing or trailing vine to 15 feet and is widespread in thickets throughout the eastern US. It has small, intricately detailed, pale yellow-green flowers in summer followed by small black berries. Not particularly showy, but good in its own right, especially at the edge of woods."

#49: Krimson Princess Hoya (Hoya carnosa 'Rubra')

@plantladylin says, "I received my original 'rubra' in a small 4" pot from elderly friends in 1976. I didn't know it was a Hoya, only a plant called "Wax Plant" because of the waxy-looking flowers. The plant grew rapidly, to the point where I had two very large containers with trellises for the vines to climb. I lost one of the large plants last winter, but the remaining one still grows strong and currently has a few buds. The plant originally had the variegated foliage, but over the years it has reverted back to the solid green color.

I live in East Central Florida, where it's hot in the summertime and humid year round. My plant stays outside on a screened deck, and in the winter when we have cold nights I move the container up against the side of the house and throw a blanket over it for warmth. I grow this plant in a fast-draining, chunky potting medium (consisting of lots of orchid bark mix with a little potting soil incorporated). I grow the plant fairly dry, watering every couple of weeks."

#50: Rose (Rosa 'Aloha')

@Calif_Sue says, "Noted by Antique Rose Emporium:
"Lots of dark, leathery foliage provides a backdrop for large, fully double (58 petals) flowers of rose pink with a deeper pink reverse. 'Aloha' is reminiscent of some of the best big fat Hybrid Perpetuals, but it blooms much more often. This climber is just right for a pillar or trellis, yet will also stand alone as a shrub.""