Black-Eyed Susan Vine vs Spinach

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

Black-Eyed Susan Vine

Thunbergia alata

Acanthaceae · vines

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Spinach

Spinacia oleracea

Amaranthaceae · vegetables

EdibleLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Black-Eyed Susan Vine (Zones 10-11)

Spinach (Zones 2-11)

Overlap: Both grow in zones 10–11

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Black-Eyed Susan Vine	Spinach
Scientific Name	Thunbergia alata	Spinacia oleracea
Family	Acanthaceae	Amaranthaceae
Category	vines	vegetables
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Rich, Moist
Height	8'	1'
Spread	2'	8"
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Spring, Fall
Bloom Color	Orange, Yellow, White	Green (insignificant)
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	East Africa	Persia
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Black-Eyed Susan Vine

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Spinach

Yes — EdibleNo — 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.

Spinach

✓Plant 4-6 weeks before last frost.
✓Succession sow every 2 weeks.
✓Harvest outer leaves or cut entire plant.
✓Needs cool weather — bolts quickly in heat.

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 Spinach if you want a low-maintenance plant. 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 SpinachProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

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

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

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

Are Black-Eyed Susan Vine and Spinach deer resistant?

Black-Eyed Susan Vine is deer resistant, but Spinach is not. If deer are a concern, Black-Eyed Susan Vine is the better choice, or protect Spinach with fencing.

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

Both Black-Eyed Susan Vine and Spinach 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	Spinach
Scientific Name	Thunbergia alata	Spinacia oleracea
Family	Acanthaceae	Amaranthaceae
Category	vines	vegetables
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Rich, Moist
Height	8'	1'
Spread	2'	8"
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Spring, Fall
Bloom Color	Orange, Yellow, White	Green (insignificant)
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	East Africa	Persia
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.

Spinach

✓Plant 4-6 weeks before last frost.
✓Succession sow every 2 weeks.
✓Harvest outer leaves or cut entire plant.
✓Needs cool weather — bolts quickly in heat.

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 Spinach if you want a low-maintenance plant. 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 Spinach grow in the same hardiness zone?

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

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

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

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

Are Black-Eyed Susan Vine and Spinach deer resistant?

Black-Eyed Susan Vine is deer resistant, but Spinach is not. If deer are a concern, Black-Eyed Susan Vine is the better choice, or protect Spinach with fencing.

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

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