Black-Eyed Susan Vine vs Kale

Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?

Black-Eyed Susan Vine

Thunbergia alata

Acanthaceae · vines

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Kale

Brassica oleracea var. sabellica

Brassicaceae · vegetables

EdibleDeer ResistantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Black-Eyed Susan Vine (Zones 10-11)

Kale (Zones 2-11)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 10–11

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Black-Eyed Susan Vine	Kale
Scientific Name	Thunbergia alata	Brassica oleracea var. sabellica
Family	Acanthaceae	Brassicaceae
Category	vines	vegetables
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Rich, Well-drained
Height	8'	2'
Spread	2'	1' 6"
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Spring, Fall, Winter
Bloom Color	Orange, Yellow, White	Yellow (second year)
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	East Africa	Mediterranean
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Black-Eyed Susan Vine

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Kale

Yes — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Black-Eyed Susan Vine

✓Treat as annual in most zones.
✓Provide trellis or let trail from basket.
✓Deadhead for continuous bloom.
✓Start indoors 6 weeks before last frost.

Kale

✓Direct sow or transplant.
✓Harvest outer leaves for continuous production.
✓Frost improves flavor.
✓Resistant to many pests.
✓Can overwinter in zones 6+ with protection.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Black-Eyed Susan Vine if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 10–11.

Choose Kale if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 2–11.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 10–11. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

View Black-Eyed Susan VineProfile →View KaleProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Black-Eyed Susan Vine and Kale grow in the same hardiness zone?

Black-Eyed Susan Vine grows in USDA zones 10-11, while Kale grows in zones 2-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 10 through 11.

Do Black-Eyed Susan Vine and Kale have the same sun and water needs?

Black-Eyed Susan Vine needs full sun and medium water, while Kale needs full sun to part shade and medium water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Black-Eyed Susan Vine or Kale?

Black-Eyed Susan Vine grows taller at 8' compared to Kale at 2'. Black-Eyed Susan Vine spreads 2' while Kale spreads 1' 6".

Are Black-Eyed Susan Vine and Kale deer resistant?

Yes, both Black-Eyed Susan Vine and Kale are considered deer resistant, making them excellent choices for gardens in areas with deer pressure.

Which is easier to maintain, Black-Eyed Susan Vine or Kale?

Both Black-Eyed Susan Vine and Kale have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.

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Detailed Comparison

Feature	Black-Eyed Susan Vine	Kale
Scientific Name	Thunbergia alata	Brassica oleracea var. sabellica
Family	Acanthaceae	Brassicaceae
Category	vines	vegetables
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Rich, Well-drained
Height	8'	2'
Spread	2'	1' 6"
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Spring, Fall, Winter
Bloom Color	Orange, Yellow, White	Yellow (second year)
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	East Africa	Mediterranean
Maintenance	Low	Low

Care Tips

Black-Eyed Susan Vine

✓Treat as annual in most zones.
✓Provide trellis or let trail from basket.
✓Deadhead for continuous bloom.
✓Start indoors 6 weeks before last frost.

Kale

✓Direct sow or transplant.
✓Harvest outer leaves for continuous production.
✓Frost improves flavor.
✓Resistant to many pests.
✓Can overwinter in zones 6+ with protection.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Black-Eyed Susan Vine if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 10–11.

Choose Kale if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 2–11.

Plant them together? Both overlap in zones 10–11. However, they have different sun needs, so plan your garden layout carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Black-Eyed Susan Vine and Kale grow in the same hardiness zone?

Black-Eyed Susan Vine grows in USDA zones 10-11, while Kale grows in zones 2-11. Both plants can grow together in zones 10 through 11.

Do Black-Eyed Susan Vine and Kale have the same sun and water needs?

Black-Eyed Susan Vine needs full sun and medium water, while Kale needs full sun to part shade and medium water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Black-Eyed Susan Vine or Kale?

Black-Eyed Susan Vine grows taller at 8' compared to Kale at 2'. Black-Eyed Susan Vine spreads 2' while Kale spreads 1' 6".

Are Black-Eyed Susan Vine and Kale deer resistant?

Yes, both Black-Eyed Susan Vine and Kale are considered deer resistant, making them excellent choices for gardens in areas with deer pressure.

Which is easier to maintain, Black-Eyed Susan Vine or Kale?

Both Black-Eyed Susan Vine and Kale have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.