Cardiospermum halicacabum (Lesser Balloon Vine)

1 / 2

Cardiospermum spp.

balloon vine

Sapindaceae

Tropical and subtropical Americas, Africa, and Asia

Attracts Pollinators Drought Tolerant

Native to North America

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 9–11

Overview

Cardiospermum spp. is a genus of about a dozen climbing plants in the soapberry family (Sapindaceae), known as balloon vines for their inflated papery seed capsules. The slender stems climb by coiled tendrils, reaching 6-30 feet (2-9 m) depending on species and climate, ranging from soft annuals to woody perennial vines. The leaves are divided into toothed leaflets, and the small white flowers, about 0.25 inch (6 mm) across, open in loose clusters beside a pair of tendrils. After bloom each flower forms a rounded, three-chambered green capsule 1-1.5 inches (2.5-4 cm) wide that dries to a papery brown lantern. Inside sit round black seeds, each marked with a white heart-shaped scar that gives the common name love-in-a-puff. The genus grows fast in warm weather, and most species are killed by frost, so in cool regions they are grown as annuals. Several, including Cardiospermum grandiflorum, spread aggressively and are listed as invasive weeds in Australia, South Africa, and the southeastern United States, where the vines blanket native vegetation.

Native Range

The genus is spread across the warmer parts of the Americas, Africa, and Asia, with Cardiospermum halicacabum found through the tropics and into the southern United States. Cardiospermum grandiflorum is native to tropical America and Africa and has naturalized well beyond its range as a climbing weed.

Suggested Uses

In frost-free gardens the perennial species are grown on fences, arbors, and trellises for quick green cover and the ornamental seed lanterns. In cooler regions Cardiospermum halicacabum is grown as a fast annual climber on supports or in containers with a frame. The dried capsules are also used in cut and craft arrangements.

How to Identify

The papery, balloon-like seed capsules are the unmistakable mark of the genus, hanging like small green or tan lanterns along the stems. Look for thin climbing stems with coiled tendrils, leaves cut into toothed leaflets, and tiny white four-petalled flowers next to the tendril pairs. Each capsule holds round black seeds bearing a neat white heart-shaped spot.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height6' - 30'

Width/Spread3' - 6'

Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~12 weeks

Summer Fall

Flowering runs through the warm months, summer into autumn, and nearly year-round in frost-free climates. The small white flowers are about 0.25 inch (6 mm) across, opening a few at a time beside the tendrils. Capsules form soon after and persist on the vine as they dry and turn brown.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

flowers in one warm season

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plants grow in full sun to light shade on most well-drained soils within a pH of about 5.5 to 7.5. Warmth drives growth, and frost kills the topgrowth, so in cool regions the vines are treated as annuals raised from seed each year. Established plants withstand heat and short dry spells once rooted. A trellis, fence, or netting gives the tendrils something to climb, as the stems reach for support quickly. Seed germinates readily, and self-sown plants can appear in numbers where conditions suit, becoming weedy. Few pests trouble the vines, though spider mites may build up in hot, dry air.

Pruning

Vines are cut back through the season to hold them within bounds and off neighboring plants. At the end of the year frost-killed or spent stems are cleared away. Where a species is invasive, the vines are cut and capsules removed before seeds ripen to limit spread.