Cup-and-saucer vine (cathedral bells) Cobaea scandens
Cup-and-saucer vine (cathedral bells) (Cobaea scandens) is an annual flowering plant in the Polemoniaceae family, native to Mexico (cloud forests of the south and centre). It grows 3–6 m (10–20 ft) tall and 60 cm–1.5 m (24 in–4.9 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about 0 °C (32 °F). Space plants about 60 cm (24 in) apart.
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Cup-and-saucer vine (cathedral bells) at a glance
| Type | Annual flowering plant |
|---|---|
| Family | Polemoniaceae |
| Mature height | 3–6 m (10–20 ft) |
| Mature spread | 60 cm–1.5 m (24 in–4.9 ft) |
| Spacing | 60 cm (24 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 0 °C (32 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 32 °C (90 °F) |
| Flowering | about 14–19 weeks after planting, for 9–14 weeks |
| Days to maturity | About 140 days from planting |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Mexico (cloud forests of the south and centre) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇫🇷 France, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇳🇿 New Zealand |
Is Cup-and-saucer vine (cathedral bells) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Cup-and-saucer vine (cathedral bells)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Questions about Cup-and-saucer vine (cathedral bells)
- How far apart should I plant Cup-and-saucer vine (cathedral bells)?
- About 60 cm (24 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 60 cm–1.5 m (24 in–4.9 ft).
- Does Cup-and-saucer vine (cathedral bells) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Cup-and-saucer vine (cathedral bells) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Cup-and-saucer vine (cathedral bells)?
- It tolerates about 0 °C (32 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10. As an annual it is usually planted out after the last frost.
- When does Cup-and-saucer vine (cathedral bells) flower?
- About 14–19 weeks after planting, for 9–14 weeks.
- Is Cup-and-saucer vine (cathedral bells) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
- What grows well with Cup-and-saucer vine (cathedral bells)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Cup-and-saucer vine (cathedral bells). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Notes and assumptions
- Bells open creamy green and turn purple, each sitting on a green “saucer” of sepals; climbs by branched, hooked tendrils. Named after Father Bernabé Cobo, a 17th-century Jesuit naturalist. A tender perennial grown as an annual.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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