Honeyvine Milkweed

honeyvine Milkweed (Cynanchum laeve)

 

Milkweed is the essential host plant for monarch caterpillars and a nectar source for many pollinators. All of our milkweeds are hardy perennials that return year after year once established.

 

plant profile

Honeyvine Milkweed is a vigorous native perennial vine with heart-shaped leaves and clusters of small, fragrant white flowers. Unlike our upright milkweed species, Honeyvine grows by twining around nearby vegetation or structures and can be trained onto a fence, trellis, or other support. It grows quickly during the warm season and can spread readily once established.

 

Growing conditions

  • Size: Up to 15 feet long as a climbing vine
  • Light: Full sun to partial sun
  • Soil: Adaptable to a wide range of soils, including loam, clay, sand, and gravel
  • Water: Moderate to low; tolerates dry conditions once established
  • Bloom time: Summer to early fall
  • Lifecycle: Perennial

 

planting instructions

  • Plant in spring or fall when temperatures are mild.
  • Dig a hole slightly wider than the root ball and set the crown level with the soil surface.
  • Provide a sturdy fence, trellis, arbor, or other support for the vine to climb.
  • Water thoroughly after planting and regularly while the plant becomes established. Reduce supplemental watering once established.

  • Choose its permanent location carefully and give it plenty of room to grow and spread.

 

seasonal growth patterns

  • Year 1: Establishes its root system and produces vigorous vining growth. Flowering may vary while the plant becomes established.
  • Year 2: Produces stronger vining growth and more reliable flowering as the root system becomes established.
  • Year 3 and beyond: Returns each spring from its established root system and produces vigorous vines that continue growing throughout the summer.
  • Fall & Winter: Long seed pods mature and split to release wind dispersed seeds. Above ground growth dies back after frost, while the perennial root system remains dormant underground and produces new growth in spring.

 

care

Honeyvine Milkweed is a vigorous grower that performs well in full sun to partial sun and adapts to a wide range of soil conditions. Once established, it tolerates dry conditions and generally requires little supplemental watering. Provide a sturdy structure for the vine to climb and guide new growth onto the support as needed. Because Honeyvine can spread through its root system and by seed, remove unwanted shoots and seed pods if you want to limit its spread.

 

notes

  • A vigorous twining vine that requires a fence, trellis, arbor, or other support.
  • Produces heart shaped leaves and clusters of small, fragrant white flowers.
  • Can spread through the root system as well as by wind dispersed seed. 
  • Can reach up to about 15 feet in length during the growing season.