How to Grow Rangoon Creeper
Rangoon Creeper
Combretum indicum
vineCombretum indicum is a vigorous tropical flowering vine known for its showy, fragrant tubular flowers that transition from white to pink to deep red as they mature. Native to tropical Asia, it produces ornamental fruit and lush green foliage, making it an attractive choice for warm climates. The plant is highly valued for its long blooming season and sweet, jasmine-like fragrance.
When should you plant Rangoon Creeper in your zone?
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Example Rangoon Creeper timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Rangoon Creeper
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Rangoon Creeper
Around Jul 16≈ 90 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Rangoon Creeper dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in USDA zones 10-11; can be grown in containers in cooler zones and brought indoors during winter
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Get my Rangoon Creeper timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
3-4 weeksSmall plants with 2-4 pairs of oval leaves, delicate stems, tender growth
Keep soil consistently moist, provide bright indirect light, protect from strong winds, maintain warmth (70-80°F minimum)
Vegetative Growth
4-8 weeksRapid expansion of vine with increasingly vigorous stem growth, developing multiple shoots and dense foliage
Provide sturdy support structure early, water regularly, apply balanced fertilizer monthly, prune to encourage branching
Flowering
Continuous in warm climates, typically starting 8-12 weeks after plantingEmergence of tubular flower clusters at branch tips; flowers start white, progress through pink, and deepen to crimson red
Maintain consistent moisture and warmth, apply phosphorus-rich fertilizer to encourage blooms, deadhead spent flowers to promote continuous flowering
Fruiting
4-6 weeks per cycleSmall winged seed pods develop after flowers fade; ornamental with reddish tint, containing viable seeds
Allow some flowers to set fruit if seeds desired; otherwise deadhead to redirect energy to more flowering
Dormancy/Winter Rest
2-4 months depending on climateGrowth slows dramatically in cooler months; foliage may thin or drop partially in mild winters or remain evergreen in tropical conditions
Reduce watering frequency, cease or minimize fertilizing, move container plants indoors in zones below 10, prune out dead wood in spring
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with water to dislodge; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap; maintain humidity
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Remove with rubbing alcohol on cotton swab; spray with insecticidal soap; apply neem oil
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Scrape off manually; apply horticultural oil; use neem oil spray
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Use yellow sticky traps; spray with insecticidal soap; apply neem oil regularly
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Remove affected leaves; improve air circulation; avoid overhead watering; apply fungicide if severe
Uses
Edible Flowers
CulinaryThe delicate tubular flowers are edible with a slightly sweet flavor and can be used as elegant garnishes for desserts, salads, and beverages. They add visual appeal and a subtle fragrance to culinary presentations. [source]
Traditional Herbal Use
MedicinalIn Ayurvedic and traditional Asian medicine, Combretum indicum has been used to support respiratory health and as a general tonic. The flowers and leaves contain compounds with potential antioxidant properties. [source]
Fragrance and Cut Flowers
HouseholdThe sweetly scented flowers make exceptional fresh cut arrangements with a jasmine-like perfume that naturally scents indoor spaces. Flowers transition through beautiful color stages, providing dynamic visual interest. [source]
Ornamental Vine for Structures
CraftThe vigorous vine is ideal for covering pergolas, trellises, arbors, and fences in tropical and subtropical gardens, providing year-round coverage with seasonal bursts of fragrant blooms. Its ability to attract pollinators adds ecological value. [source]
Pollinator Support
WildlifeThe tubular flowers attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators throughout the warm season, making it valuable for supporting wildlife in tropical gardens and creating movement and vitality in landscapes. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Rangoon Creeper is primarily an ornamental flowering vine; harvest flowers for fresh arrangements or fragrance by cutting stems in morning when blooms are freshest. Collect seed pods when they turn brown and dry for seed propagation. Flowers are technically edible and can be used as garnish, though the plant is not commercially harvested for food.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 The common name 'Rangoon Creeper' derives from its prevalence in gardens around Rangoon (now Yangon), Myanmar, where it thrives in the tropical climate and adorns colonial-era gardens.
- 🌱 The flower's remarkable color transformation from white to red over 2-3 days is caused by changes in anthocyanin pigment concentration as the flower matures, creating a spectacular gradient effect on blooming vines.
- 🌱 The flowers are not just beautiful but also highly fragrant at night and early morning, with a sweet scent that intensifies in the evening to attract night-pollinating insects.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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