If you’re looking for a gorgeous, fast-growing privacy screen for your garden, look no further than the Cathedral Bells (also known as Cup and Saucer Vine). If you start these seeds indoors early enough, this climbing beauty will cover your balcony or patio in a lush blanket of flowers by midsummer.
Where can I find good seeds?
The great thing about Cathedral Bells is that you don’t always have to buy new seeds. If you or a friend grew them last year, you can easily use saved seeds from those plants. Otherwise, any well-stocked garden center or online seed shop will carry them—often pre-treated and ready to go.
Do I need to prep the seeds?
Cathedral Bell seeds actually need a “cold snap” to wake them up and get them germinating. In nature, winter takes care of this, but indoors, we have to give them a little help. Just pop your seeds in the fridge for about two weeks. (Note: If you bought your seeds from a store, they’ve usually already done this for you). Right before you’re ready to plant, soak the seeds in water for a few hours or even overnight to give them a head start.
Step-by-Step Sowing
Take your soaked seeds and press them individually onto some high-quality seed-starting mix. These guys are “light germinators,” which means they need light to sprout—so don’t bury them! Just press them onto the surface. Since the seeds are pretty big (nearly half an inch long), I recommend planting each one in its own small pot. This saves you the hassle of thinning them out or transplanting them later.
Give the seeds a light misting with room-temperature water and cover the pots with a piece of glass or some clear plastic wrap to keep the humidity up. Place them somewhere very bright and warm, and you should see the first sprouts popping up within 10 to 20 days.
Once they sprout, you’ll quickly see just how fast these vines grow! They’ll need a little support right away—a simple bamboo skewer or kebab stick works perfectly at this stage. Just remember: don’t move them outside until the danger of frost has completely passed.
The Quick Essentials:
- Start seeds indoors: Beginning in February
- Prep: Soak seeds before planting
- Ideal spot: Very bright and consistently warm
- Germination temp: Between 65°F and 77°F (18°C – 25°C)
- Sprouting time: About 10 to 20 days
- Moving outdoors: Only after the last frost!
Pro Tip: Make sure to “harden off” your Cathedral Bells by gradually getting them used to the outdoor air before moving them to their permanent sunny spot.
