General Plant Information (Edit)
Plant Habit: Vine
Life cycle: Perennial
Sun Requirements: Full Sun
Full Sun to Partial Shade
Water Preferences: Mesic
Minimum cold hardiness: Zone 9b -3.9 °C (25 °F) to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
Plant Height: 6 to 20 feet
Leaves: Semi-evergreen
Deciduous
Flowers: Showy
Fragrant
Flower Color: Other: A single bloom has shades of white and pink to pale purple, and sometimes yellow
Bloom Size: 1"-2"
Flower Time: Summer
Late summer or early fall
Underground structures: Taproot
Suitable Locations: Houseplant
Espalier
Uses: Suitable as Annual
Wildlife Attractant: Bees
Butterflies
Resistances: Humidity tolerant
Propagation: Seeds: Scarify seeds: For best results use toenail clippers to clip the seed coat at least half way around the edge of the seed. Take TINY bites - you just want to break the seed coat
Days to germinate: 2 - 6 days .. dependent on soil temperature and whether or not seed coat was broken
Depth to plant seed: Sow shallow .. no more than 1/2 of soil on top of seed
Start indoors
Can handle transplanting
Propagation: Other methods: Cuttings: Stem
Pollinators: Other: Ants
Containers: Needs excellent drainage in pots

Image
Common names
  • Corkscrew Vine
  • Snail Vine
Botanical names
  • Accepted: Vigna caracalla
  • Synonym: Phaseolus caracalla
  • Synonym: Caracalla pulcherrima
Also sold as:
  • Cochliasanthus caracalla

Photo Gallery
Uploaded by dave

Date: 2016-10-18
Uploaded by Mutisia
Location: My garden, KY
Date: 2024-03-10
Uploaded by luvsgrtdanes
Location: indoors Toronto, Ontario
Date: 2024-01-30
Corkscrew Vine (Vigna caracalla) seeds just germinated.
Location: Plano, TX
Date: 2015-04-06
These seedlings sprouted in 4 days and are a week old.
Location: Summeville, SC
Commonly identified as Corkscrew Vine
Location: all photos from my gardens
Date: 2019-09-24

Date: 2009-09-11
Credit Alexey Sergeev
Location: indoors Toronto, Ontario
Date: 2024-01-27
Corkscrew Vine (Vigna caracalla) seeds.
Location: Summeville, SC
Dissection of of corkscrew structure revealing the reproductive p
Location: All pictures taken in/on my gardens/greenhouse/property
Date: 2016-10-04
Location: Grantville, Georgia
Date: 2015-09-03
Location: San Diego, CA
Date: 2009-10-26
Location: All pictures taken in/on my gardens/greenhouse/property
Date: 2018-03-29
Location: Reynolda Gardens, Winston-Salem NC
Date: 2015-08-21
blooms seem to go from white & purple to gold as they age

Date: 2020-07-02
Location: Austin ,TX
Date: August
Fast growing vine to cover arbor or AC corral
Location: Summeville, SC
The prominent extra floral nectaries (EFN) which attracts ants.
Location: AZ
Date: Spring
Location: all photos from my garden
Location: all photos from my garden
Location: Summeville, SC
Commonly identified as Snail Vine
Location: My back Yard
Date: May 26, 2013 11:00am
Location: San Diego, CA
Date: 2010-06-25
with its ant pollinators
Uploaded by dave
Location: Reynolda Gardens, Winston-Salem NC
Date: 2015-08-21
This vine did a reat job of covering a 6 foot chain link fence!
Location: central Illinois
Date: 2004-09-09
Uploaded by QueenDreama
Uploaded by dave
Location: San Antonio, TX
Date: Aug 18, 2005 12:33 PM
Comments:
  • Posted by critterologist (Frederick, MD - Zone 6b) on May 19, 2016 9:26 PM concerning plant:
    Kew Gardens and the Powers that Be notwithstanding, I think Vigna caracalla and Phaseolus caracalla are two entirely different plants. Not only do the flowers differ in color and structure, but also -- and most importantly, to many gardeners -- Phaseolus caracalla has no scent. The fragrance of Vigna caracalla is thick & sweet, like oriental lilies or jasmine.

    In my zone 6/7, I probably need to start them in January or keep them in a container... I've started seeds in Feb., and they were barely coming into bloom when the first frost hit in early October. Heat definitely speeds germination, as does scarifying & soaking.
  • Posted by Xeramtheum (Summerville, SC - Zone 8a) on Dec 4, 2012 12:09 PM concerning plant:
    The "Powers that be," GRIN and Kew Gardens, decided that Vigna caracalla, aka Corkscrew Vine, and Vigna phaseolus caracalla were the same species - Vigna caracalla. The flowers and buds are totally different in form.

    The Snail Vine is always lavender/purple.

    The Corkscrew Vine is white and lavender/purple morphing into amber as the flower ages.
  • Posted by Xeramtheum (Summerville, SC - Zone 8a) on Dec 21, 2012 4:22 PM concerning plant:
    A word about harvesting seeds from V. caracalla, both the Corkscrew and Snail Vines. Once the pod dries and is removed from the plant, split open the pod inside a plastic baggie because the second you split the pod it literally snaps open scattering some of the seeds.
  • Posted by plantladylin (Sebastian, Florida - Zone 10a) on Sep 23, 2011 6:18 PM concerning plant:
    The Corkscrew vine is a fast growing perennial vine, twining and climbing to heights of 15 to 20 feet. Preferring full sun, humidity and temperatures above 50ºF, the vine dies back in the winter. The beautiful and fragrant blooms are produced from summer to fall and have a snail like appearance, giving it another common name of "Snail Vine".
Plant Events from our members
abhege On February 19, 2015 Seeds germinated
Seeds received from Piggy swap.
MunchkinsMom On September 3, 2017 Bloomed
MunchkinsMom On August 10, 2017 Miscellaneous Event
Remaining plant is growing like crazy. 3rd plant never emerged.
MunchkinsMom On June 7, 2017 Plant emerged
2nd plant emerged, but then died
MunchkinsMom On May 30, 2017 Plant emerged
Only one plant emerged.
MunchkinsMom On June 28, 2016 Transplanted
Planted 3 plants, north fence at Rock Bed
MunchkinsMom On June 16, 2016 Miscellaneous Event
Scheduled for delivery 6-22-2016, Hope they aren't french-fried when they arrive. Shipping was delayed by 5 days, we'll be having 100+ for days by 6-22-2016
MunchkinsMom On June 10, 2016 Miscellaneous Event
Ordered from Burpee - 3 plants for $11.86
piksihk On January 10, 2019 Seeds sown
in water;
piksihk On July 11, 2016 Transplanted
HW near back fence with blue butterfly vine
lovesblooms On February 26, 2020 Seeds sown
indoors, heat, lights
lovesblooms On February 12, 2017 Seeds germinated
lovesblooms On February 4, 2017 Seeds sown
indoors; swelled seeds planted after overnight soak in boiled water
» Post your own event for this plant

Discussion Threads about this plant
Thread Title Last Reply Replies
Love the colors and clarity and contrast by pirl Aug 4, 2015 11:24 AM 3

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