How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Purple Bell Vine

Purple Bell Vine is an eye-catching and showy vining plant that thrives in warm climates and has an exceptional blooming season. Often grown as an annual in cooler climates, this fast-growing vine is excellent for growing over a trellis or arbor. 

The unique and beautiful flowers make this a highly desirable ornamental, and its free-flowering habit means that this is a plant that will bring a great deal of color to the garden for a long period of the year. Although it is not cold tolerant, you can treat this vine as a perennial as long as you overwinter it indoors in a container.

What is Purple Bell Vine?

History

This plant has a complicated taxonomic history, and its name has changed over time. Previously classified as Rhodochiton volubile and Lophospermum atrosanguineum, botanists now use a combination of the two: Rhodochiton atrosangunineus.

It is a winner of the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit for its noteworthy characteristics.

Native Area

The Rhodochiton genus is native to Central America, specifically to Mexico and Guatemala. All three species of the genus grow in mountainous cloud forests at elevations of 4,300 to 11,5000 ft. Rhodochiton atrosanguineus is specifically from Mexico.

Characteristics

This tender perennial climbing vine grows up to 10 feet tall over the course of a single season. It is frost-tender and only perennial in climates that don’t experience frost. In warm climates, you can grow it outdoors year-round.

The thin vines are twining and climb any structure placed in their path. The foliage appears similar to that of a Morning Glory vine, but the two are not related. Leaves are bright green and heart-shaped and often edged with maroon. They are hairy and about two to three inches long. 

The plant gets its name from the flower, which resembles fuchsia in form. The bell-shaped magenta calyces have long, tubular, deep purple petal tubes. After pollination, the tubelike petals will drop off of the plant, and the sepals turn first green and then red, remaining on the plant for several weeks. 

The flowers begin to bloom in late spring, appearing and opening in succession. The long blooming season lasts through the summer and well into fall, depending on the climate. With the first frost, flowers and foliage all die back. 

Uses

This plant is primarily grown for its ornamental value. When given the proper support, these vines can grow as long as 12 feet over the course of their growing season. They also make very nice trailing plants and are often used to fill window baskets due to their prolific flowering habit and attractive foliage. 

Where to Buy

Because it is most often grown from seeds, Purple Bell Vine can be challenging to find in nurseries, but it is not unheard of. Seeds are widely available from online and local retailers, depending on your region and general availability. Nursery plants will be more widely available in warm climates.

Planting

Typically started from seed, sow your Purple Bell Vine seeds indoors in late winter. The seeds germinate slowly, so it’s a good idea to get started early, at least a month or two before the ground is expected to thaw. 

Transplant your seedlings at 12-16 weeks old after the threat of frost has passed. Once they germinate and sprout, your seedlings should pick up speed and grow quite quickly. Plant these seedlings in a sunny spot in soil that retains moisture but is well-draining to prevent soggy, rotting roots. 

Plant your seedlings 10”-12” apart after the outdoor soil warms. Make sure to keep your seeds and seedlings moist during these early days especially. In areas where the cold season is short-lived, and the ground doesn’t freeze, you can sow seeds directly in the ground as long as all threat of frost has passed. 

How to Grow

Purple Bell Vine is considered low-maintenance and easy to grow. It has moderate to significant moisture needs but is otherwise considered disease-free and a vigorous grower that quickly takes on its mature form and flowers within a short time after planting. 

Light

Full sun to partial shade is best. The ideal space for this place receives many hours of direct sun early in the day, with some shade in the afternoon. These conditions ensure maximum blooming without the harsh afternoon sun scalding leaves and wilting flowers. 

Water

When initially planted, your Purple Bell Vine seeds should be kept moist at all times. Once the seeds germinate and the plant begins to grow, you can water once per week in temperate weather, giving the plant about one inch of water weekly. 

Purple Bell Vine is a moisture-loving plant, so the soil should not be allowed to dry out completely. During periods of hot, dry weather, you will need to increase watering. In some cases, your plant may need to be watered daily. 

Soil

Because Purple Bell Vine is a moisture-loving plant, it needs to be planted in soil that retains moisture but also drains well. You want moisture but not soggy soil for this pretty plant. Most soil types are tolerated, but the ideal soil for this plant is rich, moist, fertile soil. 

If you have poor soil or very clay-heavy soil and intend to plant in the ground, amend your soil with some well-rotted compost or manure to add nutrients and improve drainage and moisture-holding ability. Acidic soil is preferred but not vital to the health of the plant as long as proper nutrients are available.

Temperature and Humidity

Purple Bell Vine is a warm climate plant that is typically grown as an annual in cooler climates. It can be overwintered indoors if grown in an environment that experiences freezing weather. If growing in a container as a perennial, don’t wait until a frost to bring this plant indoors. Rather, pay attention to the forecast and plan to bring your plant indoors when temperatures dip near 40°F (4°C). 

Heat is not usually an issue for this plant, but if you anticipate a very hot season, give your plant some shade in the afternoon and additional water. These factors will significantly prolong the life of the flowers. In zones 9-11, your vine can be planted in the ground and will overwinter well. Humidity is less important than moisture to the roots, but this plant will tolerate higher humidity as long as there is adequate air circulation. 

Fertilizing

Provide a moderate supply of nutrients. Mixing in compost or manure when planting will supply the plant with its nutrient needs. Additionally, you can fertilize this plant about once per month using an all-purpose, balanced fertilizer or mix a slow-release, granular fertilizer two or three times per year during the growing season.

Maintenance

When grown as an annual, Purple Bell Vine requires little in the way of pruning. This plant will die back in the winter, and dead foliage needs to be removed to keep the garden looking neat. In warm climates where this plant is a perennial, some pruning improves the overall appearance of the plant. 

After your vine finishes flowering, trimming it up encourages the plant to branch, giving it a fuller and more floriferous growth habit in the following years. This also keeps the vines neat and manageable. 

In terms of overwintering, bring your plant indoors before the first expected freeze to maintain the foliage and size of the plant. Give your plant a sunny spot for the cooler months, and about one inch of water per week. If the soil appears to be staying overly moist, reduce watering as the plant will take in less water in the winter.

Growing in Containers

These vines don’t make great houseplants in general. They grow quite large over time and require a lot of light and water to look their best. However, they do make good outdoor container plants and can be brought indoors for a short time to protect them from cold weather. 

Moisture and drainage are the most important factors to consider when growing these plants in a container. It is important to not allow the soil to dry out completely, which can be more challenging with potted plants than those planted in the ground. 

A hanging basket is wonderful for showcasing the attractive growth habit and cascading flowers. Window boxes also tend to be a popular container for this plant. Any container will work as long as there is proper drainage and you use potting soil that is nutrient-rich and retains enough moisture. 

It is important to keep your plants watered in containers, as they tend to dry out faster. This is especially true in warm climates where water evaporates quickly. Keep your plant watered well, and make sure to place it in a location where it gets plenty of morning sun, with some protection in the afternoon. 

Propagation

Purple Bell Vine is most commonly propagated by seed, and the germination process can be an exercise in patience. However, once your seeds sprout, they will grow into mature plants very quickly. 

When starting your seeds indoors, which is necessary in cooler climates, get started well ahead of the spring planting season. Purple Bell Vine seeds take up to 45 days to germinate. This can be frustrating and disappointing if you don’t know what to expect. 

Start your seeds indoors about 8-10 weeks before you intend to plant them outdoors. The seeds need no cold stratification. They do, however, need to be kept moist throughout the germination process, so they do require some attention during this period. 

Begin with a soil mixture that drains well but also retains some moisture to prevent having to water these daily. A combination of potting soil, peat moss, and perlite will do the job quite well. Moisten your soil before gently pressing the seeds into the surface. The seeds don’t need to be sown deeply. Keep your seeds moist and warm, and above all, be patient. 

In warmer climates that do not experience freezing temperatures, you can sow your seeds directly in the ground in early spring. The same rules apply here; the seeds need to be kept moist and will take quite some time to germinate. Once seedlings have sprouted, keep the soil evenly moist. 

Common Problems

When grown outdoors, there are very few issues that your Purple Bell Vine will contend with. Most issues occur with plants that are cultivated indoors. 

Pests

When grown indoors, there are a few insects that your plant may come up against. These can threaten the overall health of the vine. Aphids, whiteflies, scales, and spider mites are all potential threats to this plant. If you identify an infestation, isolate the plant immediately to prevent the spread of insects from one plant to another. 

Pests are usually brought into the house on plants that are new or coming in from outdoors for the winter. Prevention is best where insects are concerned, so it is important to carefully inspect any new plants before bringing them into the home.

Sometimes, the inevitable occurs, though, and you end up with an infestation in spite of your best efforts. Neem oil is great for treating infestations of indoor plants. You may need to re-treat your plant after a week or two to kill all generations. 

Botrytis

Botrytis is a fungal infection also known as gray mold. It causes irregularities in the growth of flowers and leaves and can manifest in mushy brown spots and mold on various parts of the plant. This is a cool, moist weather issue that can crop up in greenhouses and indoors during the colder months. 

Keep an eye on overwintering plants, and make air circulation a priority in the rooms where you keep your plants. If you notice plants affected by this fungus, isolate them and treat with a copper-based fungicide. Remove any damaged foliage to stem the spread. 

Frequently Asked Questions