Cypress Vine, scientifically known as the Ipomoea Quamoclit, is a great outdoor plant that you can add to your garden to enhance its natural beauty. You can grow these vines on sturdy supports like a wall or a fence. The plant symbolises life’s mortality due to its short life span. However, it is essential to note that you can make the most of your Cypress Vines with proper care and a lot of love. Moreover, the short lifespan of the vines leads to the bloom of the flowers on it even more beautiful. Here are some things you must know about Cypress Vines before planting them.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Ipomoea quamoclit, commonly known as cypress vine, cypress vine morning glory, cardinal creeper, cardinal vine, star glory, star of Bethlehem or hummingbird vine, is a species of vine in the family Convolvulaceae native to tropical regions of the Americas and naturalized elsewhere in the tropics.
This species was first formally named by Carl Linnaeus in his seminal work Species plantarum (1753), but without any real detail as the plant was already well-known in most parts of the world. Curiously, he stated its origin as, simply, “Habitat in India”, while at the same time referencing earlier describers of the plant who noted its origin as Central America.
I. quamoclit is a herbaceous, twining vine growing up to 3–10 feet (0.91–3.05 m) tall. The leaves are 1–4 inches (25–102 mm) long, deeply lobed (nearly pinnate), with 9-19 lobes on each side of the leaf. The flowers are 1–2 inches (25–51 mm) long and 1 inch (25 mm) in diameter, trumpet-shaped with five points, and can be red, pink or white.
It flowers in summer and fall. Its seeds are sown in rainy season. It blooms continuously from August to December in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere and February to June in temperate regions of the Southern Hemisphere.
Seedlings must always be kept moist. They require full sun for good growth. This vine is one of the best plants for attracting hummingbirds, and is a vigorous grower. In warmer climates, this plant can be extremely invasive.
It doesn’t require any fertilizer and gives blooms without any care. It can be grown anywhere. In containers along with other plants, it can be grown in small containers, or in big containers it thrives well in small spaces and big spaces alike.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Cypress vine needs full sun to thrive. It can grow in a partially shady location, but it will bloom less prolifically.
Temperature and Humidity
As a tropical vine, cypress wine is frost-sensitive, that’s why most gardeners grow it as an annual. It does best where summers are long and hot. High humidity is usually not an issue.
Watering
Cypress vine prefers moist soil environments. Usually, if the soil surface is dry, it is time to water it. Only water enough that the soil can fully absorb the water. Adequate water promotes rapid growth of stems and leaves. Water 1-2 times a day in summer when the temperature is high and water evaporation is high; in particularly hot weather, you can water the plants in the cool of mornings and around 4 p.m., but please do not water at noon.
Soil
Of the three recommendations for soil conditions (fertile, well-drained, and evenly moist), well-drained is the most critical. Cypress vine, once established, is reasonably tolerant of drought and can often get by without much fertilizing. But soil that does not drain well will stress the plant.
Fertilizing
To give the vine a starting boost for its long blooming season, feed it with a high-phosphorus fertilizer, following product label instructions, just before the bloom.
Planting Instructions
Cypress vine is easy to start outdoors directly in the garden after there is no more danger of a spring frost. Wait until temperatures are regularly above 70 degrees Fahrenheit and the soil has warmed.
To aid germination, lightly nick the seeds (that breaks the hard seed coat) and soak them in room-temperature water for 12 to 24 hours. Plant the seeds 2 to 3 inches apart ¼ to ½ inch deep. Firm the soil over the seeds and keep them evenly moist until they germinate, which takes place in 14 to 21 days.
Thin out the seedlings to 12 inches apart. If planting seedlings, leave the same space between them. The seedlings are delicate so handle them carefully. Cypress vine is slow to start growing but will climb quickly once it is established.
Pruning
Since cypress vine grows so quickly, it can begin to crowd itself and become too dense, encouraging dampness and potential disease issues. So, trim as needed to open up the plant a bit and allow airflow.
You can also prune to keep the plant at a desired height, but this will be a continual effort throughout the growing season because of the plant’s rapid growth.
During the winter, cut back dead vines to allow unencumbered fresh growth in the spring.
Propagation
The cypress vine is easily propagated by simply letting it seed itself. Just allow dead flower heads to remain on the vine through the fall, and the seeds will naturally sow themselves. If you’d like to move a vine to another location, dig up the seedling in the spring and transplant it.
Keep in mind that these hardy vines tend to spread vigorously when allowed to seed themselves, so be sure to contain the growth within your target areas so that it does not become invasive.
How to Grow from Seed
Cypress vine is grown from seed. While it is possible to sow the seeds directly outdoors (after the danger of frost has passed), it can take a long time to get flowers from them in the northern states this way unless growing conditions are ideal. Many gardeners like to get a jump on the growing season by starting the plants indoors from seed in peat pots filled with potting mix, four to six weeks prior to the last frost date. Here’s how:
- Keep seeds moist for 24 hours before planting.
- Lightly scar the surface of the seeds using sandpaper.
- Plant the seeds 1/4-inch deep and cover them with the potting mix.
- Keep the potting mix damp and warm (at least 70 Fahrenheit).
- Germination will occur in about 10 days.
- Water the newly-germinated plants well to get them established.
- Transplant the plants outside after all danger of frost has passed.
- Avoid damping off problems with the seedlings. The fungus that causes this problem is usually the result of overly wet and fertilized soil. Thin out seedlings to make sure there’s plenty of air circulation.
Overwintering
After cypress vine foliage has wilted to brown, cut the dead vegetation at ground level and mulch as you do the rest of your flower bed.
If you left deadhead flowers on the vine, then seeds will germinate in the spring. If you deadheaded the flowers and you wish to grow another cypress vine, then you will need to plant a new one in the spring.
Potting and Repotting
To grow cypress vine in a container, you’ll need a location where the container can remain all summer without being moved. Also make sure that there is external support (wall, trellis, etc.) nearby so the vines can latch onto it. Choose a 12-inch pot with large drainage holes and made of a heavy material (glazed ceramic or terra-cotta) so it does not topple over under the considerable weight of the vine. To add more weight to the container for stability, you can also start with a layer of pebbles or small rocks at the bottom before filling it with well-draining potting mix. Keep in mind that container plants need more frequent watering and fertilizer than in-ground plants.
As an annual vine, cypress vine won’t require repotting during its single growing season.
Pests and Diseases
Cypress Vine is highly susceptible to diseases like Powdery Mildew and aphids. Powdery Mildew can occur if the plant is not fertilized enough or too much Nitrogen is given to the plant in the early fertilization stages. You can treat the disease with a spray of 15% Triadimefon.
Similarly, aphids in a small amount can be scraped with a brush or wet cloth. However, if they grow in large quantities, they can cause the plant to become malnourished. This can be treated effectively with frequent sprays of 40% Omethoate emulsion.
How to Get to Bloom
Cypress vines rarely require effort to encourage blooming, but if your vine seems reluctant, there are a few things you can do:
- Ensure full sun exposure.
- Make sure the soil doesn’t stay too wet.
- Keep the soil as loose as possible (avoid compaction).
- Add fertilizer.
III. Uses and Benefits
Cypress vine is a popular self-seeding annual vine prized for its delicate, bright-colored flowers and lacey foliage. It is used to decorate fences, walls, trellises, and arbors, and is an essential plant in hummingbird gardens. Plant it with hibiscus, salvia, and Pride of Barbados for complementing color and to attract pollinators throughout the season.
IV. Harvesting and Storage
You can collect cypress vine seeds in late fall when they are ripe. Keep them in a cool, dry place, saving them for sowing the next spring or summer.
