How do I control its spread?

Prune it back hard in late winter and remove any suckers that appear from the roots.

Will it damage my house?

Yes, the aerial rootlets can penetrate cracks in mortar or wood, so it is best grown on a sturdy, independent trellis.

Plant guide

Trumpet vine.

Campsis radicans (L.) Seem. ex Bureau

Pronounced KAMP-sis RAD-ih-kanz

Also known as Trumpet Creeper, Trumpet-creeper, Trumpetvine, American Trumpet Vine, Trumpet Vine

American trumpet vine — Photo by David Hebert (CC BY) via iNaturalist

The trumpet vine is a vigorous, woody climber known for its showy, tubular flowers that attract hummingbirds. It is a tough plant that thrives in many conditions but can become quite aggressive if left unchecked. You will love the splash of color it adds to a trellis or fence.

Another photo of Trumpet vine — Photo by Gianni Del Bufalo bygdb (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Deciduous woody vine
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 20 to 40 feet
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 4 to 9
Bloom time: Mid summer to early autumn

Care

Provide a sturdy structure for this vine to climb as it grows very quickly. Keep an eye out for suckers spreading from the base and prune them back to maintain the plant's size. It is quite drought tolerant once established, but it blooms best with consistent moisture.

Watering: Water deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Feeding: Apply a balanced fertilizer once in early spring to encourage vigorous growth.
Pruning: Prune back hard in late winter or early spring to control size and promote flowering.
Repotting: If growing in a container, move to a larger pot every few years as it outgrows its space.
Soil: Well draining, fertile soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.0
Temperature: -25 to 35°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Perennial, can live for many decades
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes
Water running straight through the pot
Stunted growth during the season

Safety

People: Contact with the foliage or sap can cause skin irritation or dermatitis in sensitive individuals.
Pets: This plant can cause skin irritation in pets if they brush against the foliage.
Children: Keep children away from the sap, as it can cause skin irritation, and discourage them from eating the seed pods.
Contact allergens: The sap and foliage can cause skin irritation or rashes upon contact.
Airborne allergens: The pollen is generally not considered a significant airborne allergen.
Edibility: The plant is not considered edible and ingestion may cause gastrointestinal distress.

How to identify it

Large, trumpet shaped orange or red flowers
Pinnately compound leaves with serrated edges
Woody stems with aerial rootlets
Long, bean like seed pods

Height: 6 to 12m
Spread: 2 to 4m
Leaves: green, deciduous
Flowers: orange, red, 4 to 8cm
Fruit: brown, Autumn

Problems to watch for

By symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, division, seed
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: Cut back the previous year's growth in late winter to encourage new blooms. No special protection is needed as it is quite hardy.
In containers: It is generally too vigorous for containers unless you use a very large, heavy pot and prune it constantly.

Softwood cuttings

1. Take a 15cm cutting in early summer.
2. Remove the lower leaves.
3. Dip in rooting hormone.
4. Place in moist potting mix.
5. Keep in a humid spot until rooted.

Plant this vine with sturdy, deep rooted perennials that can handle the competition for resources at the base.

Grows well with

Purple Coneflower — They share similar sun and water needs while providing a nice color contrast.
Daylily — These perennials fill the space at the base of the vine effectively.

Similar species

Crossvine — It is a less aggressive climber with similar trumpet shaped flowers.

Science

Family: Bignoniaceae
Genus: Campsis
Order: Lamiales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Southeastern United States
Conservation: This plant is common and not of conservation concern.

It thrives in forest edges and thickets where it can climb toward the sunlight.

Value to wildlife: nectar source, nesting cover
Pollinators: hummingbirds, bees
Uses: vertical screening, pollinator gardens, trellis cover

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 5/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 6/9
Moisture: 5/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

How do I control its spread?: Prune it back hard in late winter and remove any suckers that appear from the roots.
Will it damage my house?: Yes, the aerial rootlets can penetrate cracks in mortar or wood, so it is best grown on a sturdy, independent trellis.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Campsis comes from the Greek word for curve, referring to the curved stamens, while radicans means rooting, describing its habit of forming roots along the stems.

Good to know

It is commonly called trumpet vine because of its distinctively shaped flowers.
The plant is incredibly vigorous and can become invasive in some regions.
It is a favorite of hummingbirds due to its high nectar production.

Also in

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This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.