Black-Eyed Susan Vine vs Vinca

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

Black-Eyed Susan Vine

Thunbergia alata

Acanthaceae · vines

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Vinca

Vinca minor

Apocynaceae · groundcovers

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Black-Eyed Susan Vine (Zones 10-11)

Vinca (Zones 4-9)

No zone overlap — these plants cannot be grown in the same climate

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Black-Eyed Susan Vine	Vinca
Scientific Name	Thunbergia alata	Vinca minor
Family	Acanthaceae	Apocynaceae
Category	vines	groundcovers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Adaptable
Height	8'	6"
Spread	2'	2'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Spring
Bloom Color	Orange, Yellow, White	Blue, Purple, White
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	East Africa	Europe
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Black-Eyed Susan Vine

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Vinca

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — 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.

Vinca

✓Can be aggressive — plant where spreading is desired.
✓Mow or trim in early spring to rejuvenate.
✓Excellent for erosion control on banks.
✓Avoid planting near natural areas.

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 Vinca if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in part shade to full shade with medium water in zones 4–9.

View Black-Eyed Susan VineProfile →View VincaProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Black-Eyed Susan Vine grows in USDA zones 10-11, while Vinca grows in zones 4-9. These plants have no overlapping hardiness zones, so they cannot be grown together in the same climate.

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

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

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

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

Are Black-Eyed Susan Vine and Vinca deer resistant?

Yes, both Black-Eyed Susan Vine and Vinca 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 Vinca?

Both Black-Eyed Susan Vine and Vinca 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	Vinca
Scientific Name	Thunbergia alata	Vinca minor
Family	Acanthaceae	Apocynaceae
Category	vines	groundcovers
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Adaptable
Height	8'	6"
Spread	2'	2'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Spring
Bloom Color	Orange, Yellow, White	Blue, Purple, White
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	East Africa	Europe
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.

Vinca

✓Can be aggressive — plant where spreading is desired.
✓Mow or trim in early spring to rejuvenate.
✓Excellent for erosion control on banks.
✓Avoid planting near natural areas.

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 Vinca if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in part shade to full shade with medium water in zones 4–9.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Black-Eyed Susan Vine grows in USDA zones 10-11, while Vinca grows in zones 4-9. These plants have no overlapping hardiness zones, so they cannot be grown together in the same climate.

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

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

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

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

Are Black-Eyed Susan Vine and Vinca deer resistant?

Yes, both Black-Eyed Susan Vine and Vinca 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 Vinca?

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