PlantFiles: Mexican Flame Vine, Orange Glow Vine
Senecio confusus 'Sao Paulo'

I have long wanted to grow this species, but was wary to introduce anything that might prove invasive within Hawai'i's vast array of micro- and 'macro-' climates and its über-imperiled endemic plants and ecosystems.

When I obtained this clone I watched it very carefully and dead-headed every single flower before they could have a chance to set seed. Later on I discovered that the clone 'São Paulo' seems to be self-sterile and incapable of producing seed by its lonesome. Perhaps it is just missing another clone for fertilisation of the embryos to occur, however I have come to learn through HEAR.org that the regular species of S. confusus was already spreading at least on Maui and O'ahu islands. I don't know if its spread is due to asexual or sexual reproduction. The regular S. confusus is much less robust in floral and foliar parts.

Years on, I still keep an eye on my Senecio confusus 'São Paulo' to see if seed ever develops. Thousands of flowers later, I have yet to see a single seed formed. This makes growing the plant less of a controversy for myself, though I continue to be vigilant.

It is a very easy vine to grow and it loves to ramble everywhere it can. I'm in mauka Honolulu where the rainfall is average ~120"pa and the vine grows rapidly. It will grow and bloom in shade, although it becomes quite etiolated and blooms less frequently. It thrives and blooms abundantly in full sun. I cut mine back every 4-6 months or so to keep it in check for my purposes and it doesn't seem to mind a liberal cut back.

The exuberant and seemingly endless supply of vibrant orange flowers are reason enough to grow it. S. c. 'São Paulo' has more robust and more full flowers, making it a great choice.

This is an easy to grow, hardy plant. In southern Louisiana, in three months, this vine grew seven--eight feet. It died back to the ground during winter and came back full again this spring.

Searched for months for this plant at local nurseries, Lowes, Home Depot, and others. Finally found two poor looking half dead plants in an abandoned grow house for $5.00. Took them home and planted them in full sun next to my chain link fence at the property line. I mix 80 pounds top soil, 80 pounds humus, and 40 pounds of aged cow manure for planting medium. Grew over ten feet in 4 months, bushed out very well with numerous streamers, and bloom continuously here in the Texas Hill Country north of San Antonio. They don't like too much water. The deer think they are delicious! I had to hand twine them at first. Supposed to be toxic but I handle them all the time with no ill effect.