Balloon Vine
Cardiospermum halicacabum
- Native to:
- Angola, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Benin, Bismarck Archipelago, Bolivia, Borneo, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Cayman Is., Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, DR Congo, Egypt, El Salvador, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Fiji, French Guiana, Gabon, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Gulf of Guinea Is., Guyana, Hainan, Haiti, Honduras, India, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Jawa, Kenya, Laccadive Is., Laos, Leeward Is., Lesotho, Lesser Sunda Is., Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaya, Maldives, Mali, Maluku, Marquesas, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexican Pacific Is., Mexico, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nansei-shoto, Nepal, New Guinea, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Réunion, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Society Is., Solomon Is., Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan-South Sudan, Sulawesi, Sumatera, Suriname, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand
sergio niebla (www.flickr.com) from Cd. Victoria, Tamaulipas, México
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Sapindaceae
- Genus:
- Cardiospermum
- Species:
- Cardiospermum halicacabum
- USDA Symbol:
- CAHA13
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual | Biennial | Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Vine
- Height:
- 300 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- white
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Silver-banded hairstreak (Chlorostrymon simaethis), Strymon bebrycia, Thomas's blue (Hemiargus thomasi)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Moths:Didugua argentilinea Butterflies:Silver-banded hairstreak (Chlorostrymon simaethis)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- Common in disturbed areas and open fields
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily in warm temperatures. Soaking seeds for 24 hours may improve germination rates.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months. Requires light / surface sow (fine seed).