Thunbergia - African Sunset

Warm, glowing, and wonderfully sunset-soaked, Thunbergia ‘African Sunset’ is a fast-growing Black-Eyed Susan vine that brings a wash of tropical color to the summer garden. Its cheerful blooms open in soft, glowing shades of apricot, peach, rose, cream, and warm orange, often with a rich dark eye that makes each flower look extra bright and expressive. Against lush green foliage, the whole vine feels like a living garland of sunset color: playful, romantic, and full of easy summer charm.

Also known as Black-Eyed Susan vine, ‘African Sunset’ is listed at about 12 to 24 inches tall, but its twining stems can climb or trail much farther with support, often reaching 5 to 8 feet in a season. Give it a trellis, obelisk, fence, arbor, porch rail, or roomy container, and it will happily scramble upward, softening edges and creating a beautiful curtain of bloom. It is especially lovely for patio plantings, cottage gardens, sunny borders, entryways, and anywhere you want quick vertical color without a heavy or woody vine.

The warm, painterly flowers pair beautifully with purple salvias, blue flowers, ornamental grasses, zinnias, marigolds, silver foliage, and deep green tropical-looking leaves. Plant Thunbergia ‘African Sunset’ in sun to part sun with regular water, and provide support early so the twining stems have something to grab. Easy, colorful, and full of movement, this cheerful annual vine is a gorgeous way to bring soft tropical drama and glowing seasonal color to the garden. Explore more beautiful climbers in our Vines collection.