Carolina Moonseed is a fast growing, deciduous woody vine of the Cocculus carolinus species. Its greenish-white flowers appear in summer, while its show stopping feature is its attractive red berries in autumn. Growing 10-12' in the North and with potential to grow larger in the South, Carolina Moonseed is a great choice for adding a burst of color to wooded areas, fence rows, roadside vegetation, and stream sides. This beautiful, deciduous vine bears bright red drupes that persist to fall. Its medium green leaves range from oval to heart-shaped to triangular and its single crescent-shaped seeds resemble small moons or snail shells. Hardy in zones 3-9.
Growing Instructions for the Carolina Snailseed
The seeds have a period of dormancy. They can be planted outdoors in the fall or winter for spring germination or they can be cold stratified to simulate winter conditions and to break their dormancy at any time of the year. 1. Soak the seeds in water for 24 hours. 2. Put the seeds in a ziplock bag. 3. Put the bag in the refrigerator and leave it there for 3 months. 4. The seeds like moist, well-drained soil. Prepare a mixture of half potting soil and half sand, perlite or vermiculite. 5. Sow the seeds on the surface of the soil. 6. Cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil. 7. Water the soil so that it is moist but not wet. The seeds germinate in 21-30 days. 8. When the seedlings are a few inches tall, they can be transplanted.