Thunbergia mysorensis: Indian clock vine

Family: Acanthaceae
Common name: Mysore clock vine, Indian clock vine, Mysore trumpet vine, Brick and butter vine, Lady’s slipper vine, Dolls’ shoes

Indian or Mysore clock vine plants are so stunning and delightful when they are in bloom, with numerous pendulous flowers hanging from the stems. The true beauty of the plant is visible when it’s trained over a pergola, trellis, arch, or veranda which has slats through which the flowers can hang down.

The plant is native to India; the name Mysorensis coming from the city of Mysore in the state of Karnataka.

Plant characteristics
Indian clock vines can grow to a height of 6-8 meters when they are allowed to climb on suitable support. The stem is initially smooth, later becoming rough and fissured as the plant matures.

Leaves of the Indian clock vine are dark green, glossy, and lance-shaped with prominent veins. Even when the plant is not flowering, the beautiful flossy foliage keeps the plant attractive.

The highlight of this plant is the beautifully pendulous clusters of flowers, with trumpet-shaped red and yellow flowers that are 4-5 cm long.

The beautiful reddish maroon buds and yellow flowers swing lightly in the wind and last for a very long time, letting you enjoy their beauty to your heart’s content.

The calyx is a deep reddish maroon and flowers are yellow with reddish tips. Flowering happens during spring and summer beautifying your garden, and attracting all kinds of pollinators.

Indian clock vine flowers have sweet nectar that attracts butterflies, hummingbirds, and other insects. The plants are capable of producing fruits and seeds, though it is not very common in garden plants.

Gardening tips
Indian clock vines need good sunlight to grow and flower, though they can also thrive in filtered sunlight below trees.

These plants need good watering due to their prolific growth and blooming. Occasional fertilization with a phosphorus-rich fertilization can encourage bloomingPruning can be done to remove any diseased branches or to train them on trellises.

It’s better to plan how to grow the Indian clock vine, and prune it accordingly so that it does not become unruly. The flowers are usually seen from spring till autumn, covering large areas in their swinging glory.

Don’t let the Indian clock vine stems crawl on the ground as the flowers will not be visible. Plant it on the ground, or in a pot and provide a supporting structure of the plant to climb on.

Uses of Indian Clock Vine
Indian Clock Vine plants are grown as ornamentals in home gardens and landscaped areas, loved for their long, pendulous, bright, and beautiful flowers.

The long vines can be trained to grow on fences or supporting structures to provide privacy for specific areas in the garden.

The beautiful flowers attract pollinators like bees, butterflies, insects, and small birds into the garden.

Propagation
Propagation is through stem cuttings.

Since most garden plants do not produce fruits or flowers, propagation is done vegetatively through stem cuttings or layering.

Layering involves making a small cut in one of the stems close to the ground and lowering it into the soil, to cover that area with soil. The cut area will develop roots, after which it can be separated from the parent plant and replanted.

Photographed at: Sobha Petunia, Bangalore; Orchid Garden, Singapore