Does it need a trellis?

Yes, it is a vigorous climber that needs sturdy support to thrive.

How often should I prune it?

Prune it right after flowering to keep it tidy and encourage more blooms next year.

Plant guide

Flame vine.

Pyrostegia venusta

Pronounced py-roh-STEE-jee-uh veh-NOO-stuh

Also known as Brazilian flame creeper, Flamevine, Golden shower, Orange trumpet, Orange trumpet creeper, orange trumpetvine, orange-creeper

Pyrostegia venusta — Photo by ChrisMcV (CC0) via gbif

The flame vine is a stunning, fast growing climber that puts on a show with masses of bright orange, tubular flowers. It is a tropical beauty that loves to scramble over fences, trellises, or walls. You will find it thrives best in warm climates where it can soak up plenty of sun.

Another photo of Flame vine — Photo by alessandradalia (CC BY-SA) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Evergreen vine
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 20 to 30 feet
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 9 to 11
Bloom time: Late winter to early spring

Care

Provide a sturdy support structure for this vigorous climber to sprawl across. Watch for yellowing leaves which may indicate the soil is staying too wet or the plant needs more nutrients. Prune back after the main flowering season to keep its size in check.

Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy during the active growing season.
Feeding: Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer during the spring and summer months to encourage blooms.
Pruning: Trim back the vines immediately after the flowering period ends to maintain shape.
Repotting: Repot only if the plant becomes root bound or if you need to refresh the soil.
Soil: Well draining, fertile soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: 5 to 35°C
Humidity: 50 to 80%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 10 to 20 years
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

roots growing out of the drainage holes
water draining through too quickly
stunted growth during the active season

Safety

People: There is no significant evidence of human toxicity, but it is not meant for consumption.
Children: The long, trailing stems can be a strangulation hazard for very small children if left to hang low.
Contact allergens: The sap can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: There are no notable airborne allergy risks associated with this vine.
Edibility: This plant is not considered edible and should be kept away from food preparation areas.

How to identify it

Clusters of bright orange tubular flowers
Opposite, compound leaves with three leaflets
Tendrils used for climbing surfaces
Evergreen foliage throughout the year

Height: 3 to 6m
Spread: 2 to 4m
Leaves: dark green, evergreen
Flowers: orange, reddish orange, 5 to 8cm
Fruit: brown, Late spring

Problems to watch for

AphidsCommon
Root RotCommon
Scale InsectsUncommon
Sooty MoldUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, layering
When to plant: spring, early summer
Overwintering: In cooler climates, move the container to a bright, frost-free location. Keep the soil slightly drier during the winter months.
In containers: It can grow in large containers, but it requires a very large pot of at least 50 liters to support its size.

Stem Cuttings

1. Take a 15 centimeter cutting from a healthy, non-flowering stem.
2. Remove the lower leaves and dip the end in rooting hormone.
3. Place the cutting in a pot with moist, well-draining potting mix.
4. Cover with a plastic bag to maintain humidity until roots form.

Plant this vine where it can climb freely without smothering smaller shrubs nearby.

Grows well with

Bougainvillea · They share similar light and water needs and create a vibrant color display.
Hibiscus · The tropical foliage of hibiscus complements the fine texture of the flame vine.

Similar species

Trumpet Vine · Both are vigorous vines with tubular flowers that attract hummingbirds.

Science

Family: Bignoniaceae
Genus: Pyrostegia
Order: Lamiales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay
Conservation: This species is not currently listed as endangered or protected.

It grows as a high climbing vine in tropical forests, reaching for sunlight in the canopy.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: hummingbirds, bees
Uses: ornamental vine, trellis cover, fence screen

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 8/9
Temperature: 8/9
Moisture: 5/9
Nutrients: 6/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need a trellis?: Yes, it is a vigorous climber that needs sturdy support to thrive.
How often should I prune it?: Prune it right after flowering to keep it tidy and encourage more blooms next year.

Where the name comes from

The name Pyrostegia comes from the Greek words for fire and roof, referring to the fiery orange flowers that cover the top of the plant.

Good to know

It is commonly called flame vine because of its brilliant orange color.
The plant can grow quite rapidly once established in a sunny spot.
It is a popular choice for covering pergolas in tropical climates.

Keep your flame vine growing

This page is a general guide. Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked.

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.