Love-in-a-puff vine
Cardiospermum halicacabum
Description
Few things rival the delicate beauty of a fully blooming love-in-a-puff vine. The long, ferny-leaved vines are loaded with tiny white blossoms and the most interesting balloon-like green pods that resemble miniature paper lanterns. What is even more magical is that inside each balloon are tiny black seeds imprinted with perfect white hearts. These vigorous growers will scramble up and over a trellis in no time. Woven into an arrangement, this beauty will take any creation to a whole new level.
Details
Plant type: annual
Height: 6 to 10 ft
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 120 days
Plant spacing: 8 in
Pinch: not necessary
Height: 6 to 10 ft
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 120 days
Plant spacing: 8 in
Pinch: not necessary
Seed Sowing & Growing Notes
Start seed indoors in pots 8 to 10 weeks before last frost; transplant out after all danger of frost has passed. Love-in-a-puff is very sensitive to cold; wait until the weather has warmed to plant out. Provide a strong trellis or support for vines to climb.
Harvesting/Vase Life
Harvest stems once they are covered in little green lanterns. It’s especially wilt prone, so cut during the coolest part of the day. Expect a vase life of 5 to 7 days.
Details
Description
Few things rival the delicate beauty of a fully blooming love-in-a-puff vine. The long, ferny-leaved vines are loaded with tiny white blossoms and the most interesting balloon-like green pods that resemble miniature paper lanterns. What is even more magical is that inside each balloon are tiny black seeds imprinted with perfect white hearts. These vigorous growers will scramble up and over a trellis in no time. Woven into an arrangement, this beauty will take any creation to a whole new level.
Details
Plant type: annual
Height: 6 to 10 ft
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 120 days
Plant spacing: 8 in
Pinch: not necessary
Height: 6 to 10 ft
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 120 days
Plant spacing: 8 in
Pinch: not necessary
Seed Sowing & Growing Notes
Start seed indoors in pots 8 to 10 weeks before last frost; transplant out after all danger of frost has passed. Love-in-a-puff is very sensitive to cold; wait until the weather has warmed to plant out. Provide a strong trellis or support for vines to climb.
Harvesting/Vase Life
Harvest stems once they are covered in little green lanterns. It’s especially wilt prone, so cut during the coolest part of the day. Expect a vase life of 5 to 7 days.
Sources
How to Grow
Sources
How to Grow
Summer Mini Course
Learn how to grow, harvest & arrange beautiful cut flowers
In our three-part video series, you’ll learn a simple step to double the number of blooms your plants produce, how to cut and care for your flowers for the longest vase life, and how to make mixed bouquets quickly and efficiently.
