Mexican Flame Vine, Orange Glow Vine

On Feb 10, 2016, sunkissed from Winter Springs, FL (Zone 9b) wrote:

I've had this vine for many years growing on my fence, unfortunately my neighbor enjoys the flowers more than I do, since the sunny side is her side. My vine is not irrigated, gets rain only, but of course in FL that is quite a bit. I've never fertilized it, it will spread along the ground and find sun, so watch out. The past couple years my oak is shading it out and it has traveled on the ground to a sunny spot in my neighbors yard, thank goodness she likes it. Takes pretty cold temperatures, but if we get to freezing it will freeze back, but always comes back in the spring. Blooms are heaviest in March through May, but sporadic blooms most the year. My seeds seem to be sterile but the plant is easy to propagate with clippings.

On Nov 30, 2013, vitrsna from Colima,
Mexico (Zone 11) wrote:

When i first started looking for this vine for my garden, i searched for seeds. Everything i read on the internet said that the vine does not produce viable seed. I live in Mexico and plant material cannot cross the border. The plant is a Mexico native (specially to Veracruz) but is not available in nurseries here. I spoke with a friend/neighbor about the vine and showed him photos. Six months later he showed up at my door with some cuttings. He had found the plant growing in a garden in a nearby small town he had visited. The cuttings grew beautifully and later i was surprised to find small look-alike seedlings at the base of the vine where the spent flowers fell after i had dead headed them. I have added a photo of one such seedling and a very much magnified photo of the seed.

On Jan 12, 2013, sojourners_way from Winnipeg, Canada,
Canada wrote:

I live in Canada and the Mexican Flame Vine is just an annual here. I've only been able to find it here once and loved it. I understand it can become invasive - not a problem here where we get -29C; and I've purchased seeds with no success. Now I'd like someone just to send me a handful of stems and I'll root them myself. I understand they are more successful than with seeds. Thanks to anyone who is willing.

On Oct 13, 2012, abken from New Orleans, LA wrote:

Ver-r-r-ry pretty. But take care...notice the posts about how easy it is to propagate. I know first-hand why it's considered invasive in many areas. Came up between the porch floorboards after a long trip under the house. Still, 4 years after thinking I'd banished it from the yard forever, I find it lurking in the grass on the other side of the yard, far from it's original location. Be warned....

On May 15, 2012, goldilocks0613 from Conroe, TX wrote:

I too have had this beautiful vine for several years. Gave it Osmocote each year, and water regularly like my other potted plants. No blooms at all...
My daughter bought one last year at Lowe's that was in bloom, and it has bloomed again this year. I think that must be the secret... to buy one in bloom.

On Oct 4, 2011, RedRose60 from Spring Hill, FL (Zone 9b) wrote:

We have grown this flame vine for 3 years now. I was purchased at USF Botanical Garden sale. It was planted in supplemented soil with Black Cow, top soil and perlite. It has a large trellis and is in full sun on the west side. It has been fed regularly throughout each spring & summer. This year we scaled back on the nitrogen and gave it 10-50-10 to encourage blooms. We have yet to see a bloom. Ready to dig it out and plant something else. Anyone have any ideas.

On Mar 1, 2011, kamerlau from Elkhart Lake, WI wrote:

I was very intrigued by this plant having seen one in bloom in a conservatory in Madison, WI, that I bought one from an Internet seller from GA. It can't stand our cold WI winters, but I grow it in a large pot with a trellis that I put out in the warm season. It comes into our sunroom for the winter and I hack the foliage back and it comes back again the next year. I have something pretty unique that you don't normally see in WI. This year I am going to propagate it to give away to friends.

On Oct 5, 2010, gardeningintexas from Bastrop, TX wrote:

I live near Austin and this is the second year for my flame vine. It grows beautifully (tumbles over a stone wall) but I am not getting any blooms!! As the heat is so intense here, I have one vine in dappled light and another in full sun, but neither is producing any flowers. Last year I got about 5 blooms...that was it, so I know that it does flower! Any ideas?

On Jul 12, 2010, LeslieT from Bellaire, TX wrote:

This is a wonderful vine for the Houston area. Last winter was unusually cold and I lost the species plant. But, the cultivar Senecio confusus 'Sao Paulo' came through unharmed. I was amazed, especially as it had been planted in May 2009 so hadn't really had enough time to put down a strong root system. The species plant had been in the ground for 4 or 5 years (can't find the invoice to verify) so it definitely had put down a strong root system. I would've expected 'Sao Paulo' to have been more susceptible to cold temps. Go figure.
Leslie

On Jul 10, 2009, Ducky777 from Arlington, TX wrote:

I have my vine growing on a dead holly bush. I'm too lazy to cut the holly down, so I'm letting the vine grow over the dead branches. It hasn't bloomed for me yet, but it's growing like gangbusters!

On Oct 9, 2007, hymenocallis from Auburn, AL (Zone 8a) wrote:

In the new Flora of North America this is listed as Pseudogynoxys chenopodiodes (2006 Vol. 20 pg. 608)

On Apr 24, 2005, goodstoryteller from Sierra Vista, AZ (Zone 8a) wrote:

Described well by others--mine blooms in about six flushes a year. I trim it back slightly after each flush has finished to get rid of the seed pods and tidy it up. I severly prune it in the spring---I have not had mine freeze back, but I know those who are more susceptible to freeze here, have--but it comes right back. I cut mine way back a month ago and it is starting to bloom now. Very fast growing, I have started a few from cuttings. I grow it on a trellis that shields my a/c and water treatment stuff. Wide variety of butterflies, bees, dragonflies nectar on it.
I got mine three years ago at Florida Native Plant--it is not a Florida Native but is Florida friendly. --never seen it at Home Depot--It does show up at the butterfly club and my garden club at plant sales and ra... read moreffles.
I don't think it requires extra water but mine gets it as I have my tomatoes and herb garden at its feet.

On Jan 11, 2005, xyris from Sebring, FL (Zone 9b) wrote:

I planted it, so I can't compain too much that now I have LOTS of this plant. It is pretty easy to pull up from where I don't want it, and if when we get a freeze (none in the last two years) that will control it as well! I let it climb into some of my live oaks and sour orange trees, and it looks great peeking out. I have seen it take over tree canopies in Miami, but I just don't think that is possible this far north.

Update as of 2017 - My little original plant of this has now spread over an area of at least 150 by 50 feet, mostly up in the tops of the trees. The vines are a few inches in diameter, and give no clue as to what is above them. I trim it back in lots of area to contain it, and it seems to do no harm to the trees, where it flowers profusely as high as 50 f... read moreeet off the ground!

On Jan 2, 2004, htop from San Antonio, TX (Zone 8b) wrote:

San Antonio, Tx.
This is fast growing Mexico native perennial vine that produces blooms until the first hard freeze. The arrowhead- shaped succulent-like deep green leaves are serrated on the edges and are similar to German Ivy. The brilliant bright orange 1 inch in diameter flowers appear in small clusters. As they age and after pollination, the blooms change to almost red. The seedheads resemble smaller versions of dandelion seedheads.

It has high heat tolerance, low water requirements and is seldom bothered by pests. This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and birds. Senecio confusus means "confused old man" which probably refers to the vine's growth habit - it needs to be provided with some sort of support or it will grow into a tangled mass where it suppor... read morets itself.

It can be propagated by seeds, cuttings or layering. The vine naturally forms roots where it touches the ground. Because the seeds require light to germinate, they need to be kept at the surface of the soil.

On Aug 26, 2001, Trish from Jacksonville, TX (Zone 8b) wrote:

Dies to the ground in mild frost, but comes back fast from roots. Twines to 8-10 ft. Light green, rather fleshy leaves are 1-4 in. long, 1/2-1 in. wide, coarsely toothed, large clusters of startling, orange-red blooms with golden centers appear at branch ends. Will bloom all year where winters are mild. Provide light soil, regular water. Full sun, or very light shade. Use on trellis or collumn, let cascade over bank, wall, or plant in hanging basket. Propagation by cutting or seed.