This vine is found in the Everglades and is mostly known for being the first to grow and bloom right after a fire, so all you see are beautiful clusters of tubular, hot pink flowers. Man-in-the-Ground is in the Morning Glory family and attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.
How to care for Man in the Ground Vine
Light. Full sun.
Water. Water while it establishes. Once established it is highly drought tolerant and needs no extra water. It does not tolerate flooding.
Soil and feeding. It does best in well-drained limestone soil with no added humus. It thrives in nutrient-poor soil and needs little feeding.
Size. A creeping or twining vine with stems 5–10 ft long.
Good to know. A rare Florida native of Miami-Dade pine rocklands, listed as endangered in Florida. It can die back to the ground for long periods and then return. Butterflies, sphinx moths and hummingbirds visit the flowers. It has low salt tolerance.
Sources: Natives for Your Neighborhood (Institute for Regional Conservation): Ipomoea microdactyla · Florida Native Plant Society Plant Database: Ipomoea microdactyla
