Redstar: A Fast-Growing Annual Vine with Fiery Blooms
If you’re looking for a quick-growing vine to add instant color to your garden, redstar (Ipomoea coccinea) might catch your eye. This enthusiastic annual climber produces clusters of small, bright red tubular flowers that practically glow against its heart-shaped green foliage. But before you start planning where to plant it, there are a few things you should know about this non-native charmer.
What Is Redstar?
Redstar goes by the botanical name Ipomoea coccinea, though you might also see it listed under its synonym Quamoclit coccinea. As a member of the morning glory family, this annual vine shares the family’s enthusiasm for climbing and spreading. It’s classified as a forb herb, meaning it’s a vascular plant without significant woody tissue—think of it as nature’s version of a seasonal decoration that replants itself.
Where Does Redstar Grow?
Originally from tropical America, including parts of Mexico and Central America, redstar has made itself at home across much of the United States. You’ll find it growing in Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.
While redstar has naturalized across these regions, it’s important to note that it’s not native to North America. It’s what botanists call an introduced species that reproduces spontaneously in the wild and tends to persist without human help.
Should You Grow Redstar in Your Garden?
The decision to grow redstar comes down to your gardening philosophy and local conditions. Here’s what to consider:
The Appeal of Redstar
- Fast coverage: As an annual vine, redstar grows quickly and can cover unsightly areas or provide privacy screens in a single season
- Stunning flowers: The bright red tubular blooms are genuine showstoppers and attract hummingbirds
- Low maintenance: Once established, it’s quite drought tolerant and requires minimal care
- Self-seeding: It readily self-seeds, giving you new plants each year without replanting
Things to Consider
Since redstar isn’t native, it doesn’t provide the same ecological benefits as indigenous plants. According to wildlife studies, it provides only 2% to 5% of the diet for both large animals and terrestrial birds, and offers sparse cover for wildlife.
If you’re committed to native gardening, consider these native alternatives that offer similar benefits:
- Trumpet vine (Campsis radicans) for hummingbird-attracting red flowers
- Native honeysuckles like coral honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens)
- Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) for red blooms that attract hummingbirds
Growing Redstar Successfully
If you decide to grow redstar, here’s how to help it thrive:
Growing Conditions
- Sunlight: Prefers full sun to partial shade
- Soil: Adaptable to various soil types
- Water: Drought tolerant once established, but appreciates regular water during establishment
- Zones: Grows as an annual in USDA zones 2-11
Planting and Care Tips
- When to plant: Direct seed in spring after the last frost date
- Spacing: Give plants room to spread and climb
- Support: Provide trellises, fences, or other structures for climbing
- Maintenance: Minimal care required once established
- Self-seeding: Expect volunteers next year—deadhead flowers if you don’t want self-seeding
Special Considerations
Redstar has different wetland tolerances depending on your region. In most areas, it’s considered facultative, meaning it can grow in both wet and dry conditions. However, in the Eastern Mountains and Piedmont region, it’s classified as facultative upland, preferring drier sites.
The Bottom Line
Redstar can be a useful garden plant for quick coverage and hummingbird appeal, but it won’t provide the ecological benefits of native alternatives. If you choose to grow it, enjoy its fiery blooms and easy care, but consider balancing your garden with native plants that better support local wildlife. After all, the best gardens are those that are both beautiful and beneficial to the creatures that call your area home.
