© Erick Vélez Sánchez, some rights reserved (CC-BY) · iNaturalist
Rhodochiton spp.
Overview
Rhodochiton spp. is a small genus of climbing perennials in the family Plantaginaceae, native to Mexico, grown chiefly as Rhodochiton atrosanguineus, the purple bell vine. The plant climbs by twining its leaf stalks around supports, reaching 8-12 feet (2.4-3.7 m) in a season, with thin, wiry stems and heart-shaped, often purple-tinted leaves 1.5-3 inches (4-8 cm) long with toothed margins. The flowers hang on slender stalks along the stems: a flared, rosy-pink to mauve bell-shaped calyx surrounds a long, tubular, near-black maroon corolla that dangles below it, the two parts together about 1.5-2 inches (4-5 cm) long. The pink calyx persists after the dark tube drops, extending the display. Bloom runs from summer into autumn and continues until frost. Growth is fast in warm weather, and the vine flowers in its first year from seed. It is frost-tender and treated as an annual or container plant in cold climates, where it is overwintered under glass. In shade or cool summers, flowering is sparse and growth thin.
Native Range
Rhodochiton atrosanguineus is native to southern Mexico, where it grows in moist, cool montane forest and scrub, scrambling over shrubs and rocks at mid to high elevations. The genus is restricted to Mexico and adjacent Central America.Suggested Uses
Grown on trellises, obelisks, arches, and through shrubs, and trailed from hanging baskets and tall containers, set 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) apart. The pendent flowers suit positions viewed from below or at eye level. In cold climates the vine is used as a summer annual or an overwintered container plant.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height8' - 12'
Width/Spread1' - 3'
Bloom Information
Blooms from early summer until the first frost, often July to October, and through much of the year in frost-free climates. Flowers open in succession along the stems over many weeks. The pink calyx remains after the dark tube falls, so color persists between flushes.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
pink calyx with dark maroon to near-black tubeFoliage Description
green, often purple-tintedGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-8 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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Plants grow in full sun to part shade on moist, fertile, well-drained soil with steady water through the growing season. Even moisture sustains long bloom, while dry soil checks flowering and drops leaves. Sown early indoors, plants flower the first summer; in mild climates they persist as short-lived perennials. Frost kills top growth, and plants are lifted or grown in containers and overwintered above 45 F (7 C) in cold regions. A trellis, netting, or other support lets the leaf stalks twine. Aphids and spider mites appear on stressed or indoor plants.Pruning
Pinch young stems to encourage branching, and trim wayward growth during the season to direct the vine onto its support. Cut back or discard top growth after frost. Overwintered plants can be cut back hard before new spring growth.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 3 gallons