Thunbergia mysorensis, popularly called the Mysore Trumpetvine, Indian Clock Vine or Lady's Slipper Vine, is an evergreen woody climber native to the southern Western Ghats of India. It is famous for its dramatic pendulous flower spikes that can hang 30-90 cm long, each carrying numerous hooded blooms in rich reddish-brown to maroon with a contrasting golden-yellow throat.
A fast, vigorous grower, it can scramble 6 metres or more over pergolas, arches and large trellises, making a spectacular living curtain. In most of India it flowers heavily in the cooler, drier months and again with the onset of warmth, attracting sunbirds and butterflies.
It thrives in tropical and subtropical Indian gardens, needs strong support, plenty of moisture and a frost-free climate, rewarding gardeners with one of the most striking hanging flower displays available.
Specifications
| Family |
Acanthaceae |
| Native region |
Southern Western Ghats, India |
| Mature height |
6 m or more with support |
| Mature spread |
3-4 m |
| Growth rate |
Fast |
| Foliage |
Evergreen, glossy dark-green lance-shaped leaves |
| Flower colour |
Maroon to reddish-brown with golden-yellow throat |
| Flower season |
Mainly cooler months (winter-spring), sporadic year-round in warm regions |
| Climate zone |
Tropical and subtropical (frost-free) |
Care guide
| Sunlight |
Full sun to partial shade; flowers best with morning sun and roots kept cool and shaded. |
| Watering |
Keep soil consistently moist; water regularly in summer, never letting it dry out completely. Reduce in cool, wet spells. |
| Soil / mix |
Rich, fertile, well-drained loam high in organic matter; slightly acidic to neutral pH. |
| Temperature |
Ideal 18-32 C; protect from frost and cold below 10 C. |
| Humidity |
Prefers moderate to high humidity typical of tropical India. |
| Fertilizer |
Feed monthly through the growing season with a balanced fertiliser; add compost or organic manure at the base. |
| Pruning |
Prune after flowering to control size and remove tangled or dead growth; tolerates hard pruning to rejuvenate. |
| Repotting |
If container-grown, use a large pot and repot every 1-2 years; best grown in the ground for vigour. |
| Propagation |
By semi-hardwood stem cuttings or by layering; cuttings root readily in the warm season. |
| Pests & problems |
Generally hardy; watch for aphids, mealybugs, scale and spider mites, especially on stressed plants. |
| Difficulty |
Easy |
Uses
<p>A showpiece climber for Indian gardens and landscapes:</p><ul><li>Trained over pergolas, arches, arbours and gateways for a cascading curtain of flowers</li><li>Covering large fences, walls and trellises for screening and shade</li><li>Garden focal point and pollinator plant that draws sunbirds and butterflies</li><li>Suitable for large containers on terraces with sturdy support</li></ul>
Growing tips
<p>Plant at the start of the monsoon (June-July) so the vine establishes with ample natural moisture.</p><p>Provide a strong, permanent support such as a metal pergola or stout trellis before planting, as the mature vine is heavy. Keep the root zone mulched and cool while letting the top reach sun. Water generously through the hot pre-monsoon months (April-May) and feed monthly during active growth. In North India protect from winter frost. Prune lightly after the main flush to keep it tidy and encourage fresh flowering shoots.</p>
