Faux Persil Balloon Vine
(Cardiospermum cornidum)
Faux persil balloon vine is one of five vines considered native or naturalized to the United States in the genus Cardiospermum. Confusingly, all five of the vines are often referred to as ‘balloon vine’ or ‘heartseed’. Frustratingly, there seems to be mixed opinions as to the native status of the various balloon vines. Add to these facts that the various balloon vines can be an aggressive weed under certain conditions and it may not seem worth consideration for butterfly gardening. But experienced butterfly gardeners in south Florida and south Texas feel otherwise, and for this reason, faux persil balloon vine is included in NABA’s list of plants.
In southern Florida, faux persil balloonvine is an evergreen vine found growing at the edges of costal hammocks in locations where soils contain some organic matter. Flowering all year, it can be started from seed. In southern Texas, faux persil balloonvine’s native habitat is brush lands in Cameron, Hildago, and Willacy counties, while in Arizona it is found growing in rocky soils in the lower Sonoran desert.
Importance as a butterfly nectar source:
Not a butterfly nectar source.
Importance as a caterpillar food source:
In Florida, Miami blue, silver-banded hairstreak, and amethyst hairstreak caterpillars all use faux persil balloonvine as a food source. It is also sometimes a food source for the gray hairstreak caterpillars.
In Texas and Arizona: Silver-banded hairstreak and Common Banner caterpillars use faux persil balloonvine as a food source.
Cultural Requirements
| USDA Hardiness Zone | N/A |
| Bloom Period | All year |
| Bloom Color | White |
| Plant Height | Vine that may grow 10 feet or more |
| Plant Spread | Varies |
| Light Exposure | Full sun |
| Soil Moisture | Once established it is very drought tolerant |
| Animal/Disease Problems | None |
Native Range
Plant Rating
Plant rating scale ranges from 0 to 3. Plants rating 3 are the most useful for butterfly gardens. For more details on the ratings, see Native Plant Ratings
| Garden Rating | 2 |
| Nectar Rating | 0 |
| Caterpillar Rating | 3 |