Intermediate
skill rating
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Cardiospermum halicacabum (Balloon vine)
2 hours care
per year
per year
4m
Max height
Max height
2m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Cardiospermum halicacabum
Other names
Balloon vine, Heart pea, Heart seed, Love-in-a-puff, Winter cherry
Genus
Cardiospermum Cardiospermum
Species
C. halicacabum - C. halicacabum is a tender, woody-based, evergreen climber, often grown as an annual, with pinnate leaves divided into ovate to oblong, toothed, bright green leaflets and tiny, greenish-white flowers from summer into autumn followed by angled, balloon-like seed capsules maturing from green to pale brown.
Cardiospermum halicacabum is: Evergreen
Habit
Climbing
Flower
Greenish-white in Summer; Greenish-white in Autumn
Foliage
Bright-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Whitefly , Aphids Whitefly , Aphids
General care
Pruning
If treating as an annual, remove at the end of the growing season.
Propagation
Sow seed at 18-21C in spring.
Propagation methods
Seed, Softwood cuttings
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Where to grow
Cardiospermum halicacabum (Balloon vine) will reach a height of 4m and a spread of 2m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Wallside and trellises, Sub-Tropical, Indoor, Greenhouse, Containers, Conservatory
Cultivation
Under glass, grow in loam-based compost in full light. In growth, water freely & feed monthly. Keep just moist in winter. Outdoors, grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in a sheltered, sunny site. Support as needed.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Cardiospermum halicacabum
Other names
Balloon vine, Heart pea, Heart seed, Love-in-a-puff, Winter cherry
Genus
Cardiospermum Cardiospermum
Species
C. halicacabum - C. halicacabum is a tender, woody-based, evergreen climber, often grown as an annual, with pinnate leaves divided into ovate to oblong, toothed, bright green leaflets and tiny, greenish-white flowers from summer into autumn followed by angled, balloon-like seed capsules maturing from green to pale brown.
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Climbing
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Colour
Flower
Greenish-white in Summer; Greenish-white in Autumn
Foliage
Bright-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
General care
Pruning
If treating as an annual, remove at the end of the growing season.
Propagation
Sow seed at 18-21C in spring.
Propagation methods
Seed, Softwood cuttings
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Cardiospermum halicacabum (Balloon vine) will reach a height of 4m and a spread of 2m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Wallside and trellises, Sub-Tropical, Indoor, Greenhouse, Containers, Conservatory
Cultivation
Under glass, grow in loam-based compost in full light. In growth, water freely & feed monthly. Keep just moist in winter. Outdoors, grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in a sheltered, sunny site. Support as needed.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3)
USDA zones
Zone 11, Zone 10, Zone 9
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3) | Tell us... |
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