This past summer we has the great pleasure of a three night stay on Kibbutz Harduf, (more about that soon) in the Southwestern corner of the Galil, and I saw a lovely vine with tiny flowers that I did not recognize. Fast forward, today I finally had to chance to do a bit of research to find out just what this charming plant is, and yes, it is called Coral Vine! It is not native to Israel, but rather Mexico, and it clearly loves the climate in Harduf.
Coral vines have beautiful heart shaped leaves and delicate flowers, and they are often used grown along a trellis, arbor or stone wall as their growth habit easily covers them with vines. And when in bloom they attract pollinators like hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees! It is a tropical plant, so don't know if I can give it a try, (we have winters that get down to freezing) but I just might have to if I find it at the nursery.
Before you fall in love with this plant, it is important to note that the vine spreads very easily by wind, water, and through dispersal of animal fecal matter. Coral vine patches are known to pop up far and wide, and their growth pattern can smother other plant species. This explains why they are considered in category 2 as an invasive exotic species by Florida's Pest Plant Council. So keep this in mind and lets learn more!
Propagation: Coral vine can be propagated by seed, or by dividing a mature plant. Seedlings do not need to be started indoors as they grow vigorously.
Coral vines reproduce both through their tubers as well as by seed production. Coral vine flowers release large amounts of tiny seeds that are dispersed by wind, water, and through the excrement of various animal species like raccoons, and birds. A root tuber plant is always resilient, as the main source of nutrients and water is not easily affected by climate or environmental changes. This resilience is a large part of why Coral vine is considered an invasive plant
What Does It Look Like? One of the more charming aspects of the coral vine plant is its leaves. Each leaf is cordate in shape (heart shaped) or sometimes more triangularly shaped. Coral vine flowers are tiny blooms that grow in clusters that emerge from the main leaf axils. White flowers or pink flowers bloom from early spring or late spring well into late summer or early fall
Growth Pattern: Coral vines are a very fast growing climbing vine that takes hold of a surface using tendrils. This vigorous climber can grow to be over 7 meters in height, and can achieve 2-3 meters of growth in a single season.
Care: Plant Coral vine in an area that receives full sunlight or partial shade, and water seedlings regularly. Once plants are established they are very drought tolerant and only require occasional watering. Once a plant is well established it is very drought tolerant, and can usually survive off of the natural precipitation of the area. Coral vines grow in USDA hardiness zones 9 through 11, making them rather intolerant to cold temperatures.
Pruning: Pruning the coral vine is very importance due to their vigorous growth, and to avoid the vine smothering other plants. Prune in either late winter or early spring, and prune more than you might, or prune when necessary if you prefer.
