Purple Garlic Vine – Ajo Sacha

Botantical Name: Cydista aequinoctialis - Mansoa alliacea - Pachyptera hymenaea - Pseudocalymma alliacea -Bignonia alliacea - Bignonia aequinoctialis

Common Name: Garlic Vine - Ajo Sacha - Lata Parul - Chanamlei

About Cydista aequinoctialis - Garlic Vine Plant - Ajo Sacha

Garlic Vine or Ajo Sacha is truly a traffic stopper Spring and Fall.  My mother has it planted on a fence and people will drive by and knock on her door to ask her what it is and where can they get one.    It is covered with trumpet shaped flowers in varying shade of purple that last for several weeks.  This vine is called 'garlic vine' commonly because the leaves give off a garlicky odor when they are crushed.  It is not an unpleasant smell, and is not noticeable unless the leaf is crushed.

This plant is important and revered in Amazonian shamanism and is under currently under study for medicinal uses in Western Medicine.  It is thought to bring good luck..

It is hardy in zones 9-11.  It will thrive quite well in zone 8, but must be protected if there are prolonged temps 30 degrees or below.  A well established plant will freeze down and sprout back in Zone 8, but must be kept well protected from cold until very well established.

Cold protection is recommended in Zone 9 until well established.

Garlic Vines should be planted into well drained soil in a full sun or light shade spot.  It can be grown as a loose flowy bush, but is most attractive on supports, fences, trellises, pergolas, etc.  It is a vigorous grower and establishes quickly.  Each plant will grow large enough to fill a 6x6 space easily.
Go here to check your zone.  National Arboretum - USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

Cydista aequinoctialis

Garlic Vine Plant-Ajo Sacha