PlantFiles: Love in a Puff, Balloon Vine, Heartseed
Cardiospermum halicacabum

I saw this plant on vacation (Huntsville, Alabama, I think) about a year ago in a public garden. I collected three seeds, and hope to get around to planting them this year!

Love in a Puff, Balloon Vine, Heartseed Cardiospermum halicacabum is native to Texas and other States and is considered an Invasive and Noxious plant in Texas.

1. Direct sow; full to part sun; late spring; do not let dry out.
2. Blooms continually following it's fourth set or so of adult leaves.
3. Pop the big green ballonesque pods with a childish motion as you pass by.

I first planted this a couple of years ago with some seed sent in a swap. Thinking it was rather delicate, I sowed seed in a semi-shaded location beside an unattractive post. It grew and turned an eyesore into an attractive spot in the garden. It did not reseed, nor did it return the next year. This year, I came across some of the seed I had saved from that plant and planted them in full sun under a pole supporting a hummingbird feeder. I suspended some twine from the hooks and fully expected to be cutting that twine off when the old seed failed to sprout. I think every seed sprouted and all plants have survived what is being labeled one of the dryest, hottest summers EVER. I'm getting a little nervous about what this may mean!

Started from seed inside in April. It is now August, and three plants have taken over an 8ft trellis and the "puffs" are holding the "love": 3 round black seeds, each with a distinct white heart on the covering. Charming!

I live on the north shore of Long Island in NY. This plant performed so well that now I am worried about it reseeding and becoming a pest. Can anyone tell me if I should be careful about letting the seed drop?

This plant has been placed on the USDA website as an invasive weed in the following states.

Alabama:
balloon vine Class C noxious weed
Arkansas:
balloonvine Noxious weed
South Carolina:
balloonvine Plant pest
Texas:
balloonvine Noxious plant

This grows like a weed on my front stoop and in hanging baskets on my balcony in Brooklyn NY. I just shove a few seeds in the ground and forget about them. It grows two stories tall in full sun on my front stoop in a small planter with limited nutrients competing with mint, and equally vigorously in more than half a day of shade in hanging baskets. On the other hand, I can't even get it to sprout in the cold soil and shorter season 130 miles northwest at my place in the Catskills--zone 5a. In general, it is a pretty, easy plant and the lanterns are fun and last all winter here.

I have recently obtained seed of this plant - can anyone advise me as the best way to germinate the seed????
I live in Australia - sub tropical climate area.
Thank you

A lovely, nice delicate plant. Reseeds easily, but is not invasive. Very recommended!

Cardiospermum halicacabum is a perfectly wonderful plant! It's delicate with tendrils that want to attach to everything. I have one planted in regular potting soil and it's full of puffs!

It will grow just as well in the ground. I'm in California (U.S.), and they appear to be a perennial, though usually treated as annual in other parts of the country. They love my roses and add such a delicate balance to the garden.

This is considered an annual in any of the zones that get below 40 degrees in the winter, but in warmer climates, it's an evergreen vine that can become invasive. It does self-seed.