Vigna caracalla

Also Known As

Phaseolus caracalla
Phaseolus giganteus
Corkscrew Flower
Snail Bean
Snail Flower

Plant type

perennial, vine

size

H: 12'-20'
W: 5'-10'

planting zones

9a-11

More Options

Vigna caracalla plant details

Vigna caracalla is a fast-growing broadleaf semi-evergreen perennial vine with green foliage. In fall and summer lavender, pink and white flowers emerge. Attracts bees and butterflies making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun and even moisture - regular water. Does well in rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Vigna caracalla

Plant type: perennial vine
Plant family: fabaceae
Foliage: semi-evergreen green
Mature size: 5 FT - 10 FT - wide, 12 FT - 20 FT - tall
Flowers: lavender, pink and white blooms in fall and summer
Uses: cutting garden, fragrant, rare, trellis, tropical-looking

GROWING CONDITIONS for Vigna caracalla

USDA Zones: 9a - 11
Sun exposure: sun
Watering frequency: even moisture - regular
Resistant to: verticillium wilt
Soil needs: rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

This unique flower will captivate you with the fragrance of lilies and hyacinths and an artistic form reminiscent of a nautilus shell. A heat-loving tropical vine that blooms late summer to fall. Keep overwinter up North dormant for more blooms the following year.

By: Select Seeds

Impressive and intense describes the highly fragrant, white to pink-purple flowers of this twining climber. Its snail-shell blooms form in tight clusters, in late summer to early fall, perfuming the air for those that dare.

By: Logee's Plants for Home & Garden

Phaseolus caracalla is a vining plant with fragrant purple curious flowers that resemble a snail shell...likes bright light

By: Accents for Home and Garden

Spikes of coiled white buds open to fragrant white and lavender corkscrew flowers. A beautiful and unusual specimen which will bloom from summer to fall.

By: Almost Eden

The shape of the light purple flowers gives us the two common names and makes this vigorous vine an interesting addition to a tropical or subtropical garden. Best with plenty of moisture and full sun. Amazingly sweet fragrance!

By: Brushwood Nursery

Corkscrew or "Snail Flower" would be the type of blossom Alice might have encountered in Wonderland. Conch-shell shaped white/lavender/pink blossoms on twining stems to 6'.