Vine
Railroad Vine
Ipomoea pes-caprae
Varieties We Carry
StandardIpomoea pes-caprae
Sizes & Pricing
1 galFrom$9.95
Fresh this week. Last restocked Mar 9.
LightFull Sun
WaterLow
Mature size6-12 inches tall, spreading indefinitely × 10-50 feet (can reach 100+ feet)
About Railroad Vine
Railroad Vine (Ipomoea pes-caprae) is a fast-spreading coastal groundcover native to Florida's beach dunes, with distinctive two-lobed leaves and pink-purple funnel flowers. UF/IFAS rates it for zones 10B-11; in NE Florida zone 9b it may suffer frost dieback in cold winters and is best suited to coastal dune sites rather than inland landscapes. Starting at $9.95.
Plant details
- Bloom Season
- Year-round
- Flower Color
- Pink, Purple
- Growth Rate
- Fast
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Soil
- Sandy, Alkaline, Well-drained
Best planting months
Recommended forZone 9b · St. Augustine, FL
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This monthGood windowOther months
Seasonal care
Bloom season. Good planting window.
Bloom season. Handles summer heat well once established.
Bloom season. Ideal planting window.
Retains foliage through winter.
Care essentials
Light
Requires full sun; Railroad Vine is a beach and coastal dune species that performs poorly in shade. Best suited for coastal sites in NE Florida with direct sun exposure.
Water
Highly drought tolerant once established; thrives with no supplemental irrigation in coastal sandy soils. In inland NE Florida, establish with regular watering for the first few weeks, then reduce to minimal irrigation.
Soil & Fertilizer
Thrives in lean, well-drained sandy or alkaline coastal soils with no fertilization required. Avoid heavy or clay soils. Best used as a beach dune stabilizer or coastal groundcover; may be overly aggressive in managed landscapes.
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Common questions
Is Railroad Vine a good plant for St. Augustine?
Railroad Vine is a vine for Zone 9b coastal Florida gardens, with high salt tolerance, reaching 6-12 inches tall, spreading indefinitely × 10-50 feet (can reach 100+ feet).
Care information verified from
Last reviewed February 2026. Our care guidance comes from trusted horticulture sources and decades of helping St. Augustine gardeners. Conditions here can vary dramatically from one area to the next, so come ask us and we'll tailor it to your yard.