A tropical climbing vine with large, grape-like, lobed leaves and spectacular crimson flowers; best grown in a sheltered Phoenix microclimate with winter protection.
Ripe fruit edible; foliage may be mildly toxic if ingested (cyanogenic)
Care Instructions
Light: Morning sun with afternoon shade; protect from intense western exposure and reflected desert heat.
Water: Moderate to high water needs in Phoenix; water deeply and keep the root zone evenly moist but not waterlogged. Reduce watering during cool weather.
Soil: Fertile, organically enriched, well-drained soil. Mulch to conserve moisture, keeping mulch away from the stem.
Mature size: Typically 15–20 feet long and 6–10 feet wide on a support; potentially larger in frost-free conditions.
Bloom: Repeatedly from spring through fall in warm conditions; extreme heat, drought, or winter cold may interrupt flowering.
Evergreen / deciduous: Evergreen in frost-free climates; may lose leaves or die back during Phoenix cold spells.
Growth rate: Fast with warmth, adequate water, and fertile soil.