Black-Eyed Susan Vine in Zone 6a & 6b
Thunbergia alata
Yes, black-eyed Susan vine grows in zones 6a and 6b. Start seeds indoors Mar 14–Mar 21 and plant out May 9–May 16.
When to plant black-eyed Susan vine in zone 6b
Zones 6a and 6b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Start indoors: Start indoors from seed, then transplant outside. It needs a head start most zones can't give it by direct-sowing alone.
| Start indoors | Mar 14–Mar 21 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | May 9–May 16 |
| Estimated bloom | Aug 17–Aug 24 (~100 days after transplanting) |
Spacing: 1 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 3-8 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 6b
These go outside within two weeks of black-eyed Susan vine in zone 6b, so one planting day can cover them.
- NasturtiumMay 2–May 9
- MarigoldMay 2–May 9
- Angelonia (Summer Snapdragon)May 9–May 16
- Bee BalmMay 9–May 16
- Chrysanthemum (Garden Mum)May 9–May 16
- Cleome (Spider Flower)May 9–May 16
Black-eyed Susan vine shares a common name with a plant it is not related to, and the confusion is worth clearing up first.
How black-eyed Susan vine fits zone 6's season
Zone 6b's frost-free window runs about 173 days, from April 25 to October 15. Black-eyed Susan vine needs about 100 days from transplant to first bloom.
Black-Eyed Susan Vine planting windows in every zone
Zone 6b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Bloom |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3a & 3b | Apr 18–Apr 25 | Jun 13–Jun 20 | Sep 21–Sep 28 |
| 4a & 4b | Apr 3–Apr 10 | May 29–Jun 5 | Sep 6–Sep 13 |
| 5a & 5b | Mar 29–Apr 5 | May 24–May 31 | Sep 1–Sep 8 |
| 6a & 6b (your zone) | Mar 14–Mar 21 | May 9–May 16 | Aug 17–Aug 24 |
| 7a & 7b | Feb 27–Mar 6 | Apr 24–May 1 | Aug 2–Aug 9 |
| 8a & 8b | Feb 11–Feb 18 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | Jul 17–Jul 24 |
| 9a & 9b | Jan 4–Jan 11 | Mar 1–Mar 8 | Jun 9–Jun 16 |
| 10a & 10b | Dec 19–Dec 26 | Feb 13–Feb 20 | May 24–May 31 |
| 11a & 11b | Nov 20–Nov 27 | Jan 15–Jan 22 | Apr 25–May 2 |
Bloom dates are about 100 days after the sow or plant-out date, not after starting seeds indoors.
Good companions
No well-established companions for black-eyed Susan vine.
Where to buy black-eyed Susan vine seeds
Botanical Interests (black-eyed Susan vine seeds)
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing black-eyed Susan vine" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
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Growing Black-Eyed Susan Vine in USDA zone 6b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
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