Black-Eyed Susan vs Black-Eyed Susan Vine

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

Black-Eyed Susan

Rudbeckia hirta

Asteraceae · flowers

Deer ResistantDrought TolerantLow Maintenance

Black-Eyed Susan Vine

Thunbergia alata

Acanthaceae · vines

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Black-Eyed Susan (Zones 3-9)

Black-Eyed Susan Vine (Zones 10-11)

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

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Black-Eyed Susan	Black-Eyed Susan Vine
Scientific Name	Rudbeckia hirta	Thunbergia alata
Family	Asteraceae	Acanthaceae
Category	flowers	vines
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Well-drained
Height	3'	8'
Spread	1' 6"	2'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Summer-Fall
Bloom Color	Yellow	Orange, Yellow, White
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Eastern North America	East Africa
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Black-Eyed Susan

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantYes — Drought Tolerant

Black-Eyed Susan Vine

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Black-Eyed Susan

✓Deadhead spent blooms to encourage reblooming.
✓Divide clumps every 3-4 years.
✓Tolerates poor soil and drought once established.

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.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Black-Eyed Susan if you want a low-maintenance plant, need drought tolerance, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun with medium water in zones 3–9.

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.

View Black-Eyed SusanProfile →View Black-Eyed Susan VineProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Black-Eyed Susan grows in USDA zones 3-9, while Black-Eyed Susan Vine grows in zones 10-11. These plants have no overlapping hardiness zones, so they cannot be grown together in the same climate.

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

Black-Eyed Susan needs full sun and medium water, while Black-Eyed Susan Vine needs full sun and medium water. They share similar growing requirements and can be planted in the same bed.

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

Black-Eyed Susan Vine grows taller at 8' compared to Black-Eyed Susan at 3'. Black-Eyed Susan Vine spreads 2' while Black-Eyed Susan spreads 1' 6".

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

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

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

Both Black-Eyed Susan and Black-Eyed Susan Vine 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	Black-Eyed Susan Vine
Scientific Name	Rudbeckia hirta	Thunbergia alata
Family	Asteraceae	Acanthaceae
Category	flowers	vines
Sun	☀️ Full Sun	☀️ Full Sun
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Well-drained	Well-drained
Height	3'	8'
Spread	1' 6"	2'
Bloom Season	Summer-Fall	Summer-Fall
Bloom Color	Yellow	Orange, Yellow, White
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	Eastern North America	East Africa
Maintenance	Low	Low

Care Tips

Black-Eyed Susan

✓Deadhead spent blooms to encourage reblooming.
✓Divide clumps every 3-4 years.
✓Tolerates poor soil and drought once established.

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.