How to Grow Flame Creeper
iNaturalist
Flame Creeper
Tropaeolum speciosum
vineFlame Creeper is a stunning perennial climbing vine native to Chile, known for its brilliant scarlet-red flowers that bloom in summer and early fall. It produces vibrant orange-red tubular flowers and ornamental blue seed pods, making it a striking ornamental for trellises and vertical structures. This tender perennial thrives in cool, moist conditions and prefers partial shade in warm climates.
When should you plant Flame Creeper in your zone?
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Example Flame Creeper timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Flame 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 Flame Creeper
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Flame Creeper dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives best in zones 8b-9, performs well to zone 10; grow as an annual in cooler zones or protect tubers in winter
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Get my Flame Creeper timeline →Growth Stages
Tuber/Dormancy
4-6 months (winter)Underground tubers remain dormant over winter in cool storage, showing no visible growth
Store tubers in cool (50°F), dry location over winter; check monthly for rot or sprouting
Emergence & Establishment
3-4 weeksShoots emerge from tubers in spring; delicate tendrils and first true leaves appear
Keep soil consistently moist; provide support structure for vining; protect from frost if late spring freeze possible
Vegetative Growth
6-8 weeksVigorous climbing growth with increasingly dense foliage; kidney-shaped leaves climb via tendrils
Train vines onto support structure; maintain consistent moisture; provide afternoon shade in hot climates; fertilize every 3-4 weeks with balanced fertilizer
Flowering
8-12 weeks (summer through fall)Brilliant scarlet-red tubular flowers emerge from leaf axils; blue seed pods form after flowers fade
Continue regular watering and feeding; remove spent flowers to encourage more blooms; ensure adequate air circulation; watch for spider mites in hot, dry conditions
Seed Pod & Senescence
4-8 weeksAttractive ornamental blue-gray seed pods develop; foliage may decline as temperatures cool in fall
Allow pods to mature for ornamental effect; reduce watering as growth slows; prepare tubers for winter storage by gradually reducing water in late fall
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Increase humidity and air circulation; spray with water to dislodge; use insecticidal soap or neem oil if severe; avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen
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Spray with strong water jet; use insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs
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Use yellow sticky traps; spray undersides of leaves with insecticidal soap; improve air circulation
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and
Remove by hand; create barriers with copper tape; use slug bait if severe; maintain good drainage to reduce moisture favoring them
Uses
Edible Flowers
CulinaryThe bright scarlet flowers are edible and peppery-flavored, used to garnish salads and desserts for visual impact. [source]
Ornamental Trellis Cover
HouseholdIts spectacular red flowers and blue seed pods make it ideal for covering trellises, arbors, and walls as a living garden feature. [source]
Cut Flower Arrangements
CraftThe long-lasting flowers and unique blue seed pods are prized for fresh and dried flower arrangements. [source]
Hummingbird Nectar Plant
WildlifeThe tubular red flowers are highly attractive to hummingbirds and other pollinators, supporting garden biodiversity. [source]
Traditional Herbal Use
MedicinalIn traditional herbalism, Tropaeolum species have been used for their purported antimicrobial and immune-supporting properties. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Flame Creeper is primarily grown for ornamental flowers and seed pods rather than edible harvest. Flowers appear mid-summer through fall; enjoy them on the vine. Collect seeds from mature blue pods in fall for propagation or storage. Harvest tubers in late fall after foliage dies back; clean, dry, and store in cool conditions over winter.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Flame Creeper produces striking electric-blue seed pods after flowering, which are nearly as ornamental as the flowers themselves and inspired the plant's alternative name 'Blue Canary Vine'
- 🌱 Native to the cloud forests of southern Chile, it thrives in cool, moist conditions and often struggles in hot, dry climates unless provided afternoon shade and consistent moisture
- 🌱 The plant is a tender perennial that overwinters as underground tubers; in harsh climates it can be treated as an annual or tubers can be dug up and stored indoors over winter
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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