Cardiospermum Halicacabum

The fast growing 10′ tall annual balloon vine, Cardiospermum halicacabum, uses tendrils to tightly wrap around any point of contact like a fence, trellis or mailbox. The green tri-part foliage is complemented by petite white flowers. The flowers give way to showy papery green inflated seed pods resembling balloons or lanterns.

When the balloons are popped, each contains three black seeds with a white heart embossed or tattooed on it. Giving a packet of balloon vine seeds to your sweetheart is a Victorian way of showing affection or a frugal way to send a message to your Valentine.

Other common names for the balloon vine include heart vine, heart pea, love-in-a-puff, and heart seed. Spanish-speakers refer to the plant as farolitos because the pods resemble lanterns or luminaries.

Medicinal Uses of Cardiospermum

The balloon vine is a member of the soapberry family, Sapindaceae. Many soapberry family members are toxic. The oils of some of the soapberry fruits are extracted for use in soaps and creams. Cardiospermum is an active ingredient in creams and lotions for dermatitis, eczema, and psoriasis. Since it is not a steroid, it is often used as an alternative to cortisone creams.

Balloon Vines and Butterflies

The unique ornamental pods and heart embossed seeds are only two dramatic feature of the balloon vine. Gardeners wishing to attract particular groups of butterflies include this vine because it summons the petite gossamer winged blues and hairstreaks. Blues seek the nectar and larvae feed on the pod. The common banner, amethyst hairstreak, silver-banded hairstreak, grey hairstreak and red-lined scrub hairstreak caterpillars lay their eggs on the underside of balloon vine leaves or near the base of young pods. Newly hatched larvae consume the thin outer walls of the pod and feed on the developing seed before pupating in leaf litter at the base of the vine. The balloon vine is the sole caterpillar food plant for the silver-banded hairstreak.

Ever-expanding urbanization and associated fragmentation loss of habitat are factors affecting plant and animal populations in Florida. Additionally, communities spray for mosquitoes further reducing butterfly populations. Since 2002 scientists in Florida have been conducting a captive propagation program for the endangered Miami blue with an alternate host plant of the species, the nickerbean. For at least the past thirty years Miami blues have used the balloon vine as the host plant but those in the current captivity experiment rejected the balloon vine for reasons not yet apparent to investigators.

The tendrils of the delicate vine reach far beyond the garden. The balloon vine will capture your heart and those you gift with it. Seeds are available online from Select Seeds and Summer Hill Seeds.

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