Cardiospermum halicacabum L.

Agriculture - Forestry

Common Name

Balloon Vine, Heart Pea, Heart Seed Vine, Love-in-a-Puff, Puffball, Winter Cherry, Smooth-leaved Heart Seed, 倒地铃, 包袱草

Cultivation

Fast-growing, takes full sun to partial shade. Prefers well-drained soils, tolerates low soil fertility and dry weather. Pinch off new growth or tie to support to control spread. May be prone to whiteflies and aphids -- treat with insecticidal soap. Propagate by seeds (with viablilty of some 18 months) and stem cuttings.

Culture/Religious

Desirable Plant Features

Ornamental Foliage, Ornamental Fruits, Ornamental Seeds

Diseases

Edible Parts

Edible Leaves

Edible Stems

Family Name

Sapindaceae

Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna

Caterpillar Food Plant

Flower & Plant Sexuality 1

Unisexual Flowers

Flower Colour(s)

White

Flowering Period

Free-Flowering

Food: Fruit & Vegetable

Fruit & Vegetable

Food: Fruit & Vegetable Description

Growth Characteristics

Full Sun

Semi Shade

Moderate Water

Butterfly Host Plant

Drought Tolerant

Growth Form

Perennial herbaceous vine with slender, downy stems, trailing or climbing with tendrils up to 3m on support.

Herb and Spice Description

Lifespan (in Singapore)

Perennial

Light Preference

Semi-Shade

Full Sun

Maintenance Requirements

Moderate

Mature Fruit Colour(s) - Angiosperms and Gymnosperms

Brown

Maximum Height

1 m to 3 m

Medicinal

Native Distribution

Central America (Mexico), South America, Tropical Africa, Middle East, Temperate & Tropical Asia, Pacific

Others

Medicinal: Plant is believed to possess cooling and antiseptic properties. Traditionally used to treat fever, colds, renal edema and urinary tract infections. Pounded leaves used as external wash against skin eruptions and eczema, and as poultice for swellings and rheumatism. Leaf juice used to relieve earaches. Food: Leaves and young shoots cooked and eaten as vegetable. Products: Seed oil reportedly effective as insect repellent. Leaves can be coiled into wreaths. Dried fruit capsules can be added to floral arrangements as attractive accent.

Plant & Rootzone Preference - Tolerance

Well-Drained Soils

Saline Soils / Salt Spray

Dry Soils / Drought

Plant Characteristics

Fruit or Vegetable

Ornamental Leaves

Climber or Vine and Liana

Herbaceous Plant

Herb or Spice

Coastal Plant

Plant Growth

Climber, Vine & Liana, Herbaceous Plant

Plant Growth Rate

Fast

Planting Distance From

Pollination Method(s)

Potential Problems

Preferred Climate Zone

Tropical

Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal

Temperate

Desert / Arid

Propagation Method

Seed or Spore Germination Duration From

Specialised Storage Organ(s)

Timber & Products

Water Preference

Moderate Water