Black-Eyed Susan Vine vs Southern Magnolia

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

Black-Eyed Susan Vine

Thunbergia alata

Acanthaceae · vines

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Southern Magnolia

Magnolia grandiflora

Magnoliaceae · trees

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Black-Eyed Susan Vine (Zones 10-11)

Southern Magnolia (Zones 7-10)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 10–10

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Black-Eyed Susan Vine	Southern Magnolia
Scientific Name	Thunbergia alata	Magnolia grandiflora
Family	Acanthaceae	Magnoliaceae
Category	vines	trees
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Rich, Well-drained, Acidic
Height	8'	80'
Spread	2'	40'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Late Spring-Summer
Bloom Color	Orange, Yellow, White	White
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	East Africa	Southeastern US
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Black-Eyed Susan Vine

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Southern Magnolia

No — 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.

Southern Magnolia

✓Protect from winter winds in northern range.
✓Give space for lower branches to sweep the ground.
✓Leaves are slow to decompose.
✓Large seed pods with red seeds.

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 Southern Magnolia if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 7–10.

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

View Black-Eyed Susan VineProfile →View Southern MagnoliaProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Black-Eyed Susan Vine grows in USDA zones 10-11, while Southern Magnolia grows in zones 7-10. Both plants can grow together in zones 10 through 10.

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

Black-Eyed Susan Vine needs full sun and medium water, while Southern Magnolia 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 Southern Magnolia?

Southern Magnolia grows taller at 80' compared to Black-Eyed Susan Vine at 8'. Southern Magnolia spreads 40' while Black-Eyed Susan Vine spreads 2'.

Are Black-Eyed Susan Vine and Southern Magnolia deer resistant?

Yes, both Black-Eyed Susan Vine and Southern Magnolia 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 Southern Magnolia?

Both Black-Eyed Susan Vine and Southern Magnolia 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	Southern Magnolia
Scientific Name	Thunbergia alata	Magnolia grandiflora
Family	Acanthaceae	Magnoliaceae
Category	vines	trees
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Rich, Well-drained, Acidic
Height	8'	80'
Spread	2'	40'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Late Spring-Summer
Bloom Color	Orange, Yellow, White	White
Growth Rate	Fast	Medium
Native Region	East Africa	Southeastern US
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.

Southern Magnolia

✓Protect from winter winds in northern range.
✓Give space for lower branches to sweep the ground.
✓Leaves are slow to decompose.
✓Large seed pods with red seeds.