How much sun does Climbing bedstraw need?

Climbing bedstraw grows best in part shade conditions.

When does Climbing bedstraw bloom?

Climbing bedstraw blooms in March, April, and May.

Where is Climbing bedstraw native?

Climbing bedstraw (Galium porrigens) is native to CA, OR, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.

What butterflies or moths does Climbing bedstraw host?

Climbing bedstraw is a larval host plant for White-lined Sphinx.

Climbing bedstraw

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Galium porrigens

Last reviewed: November 2026

Climbing bedstraw (Galium porrigens) is a perennial vine native to CA, OR. It blooms in March, April, and May. The flowers draw flies and bees.

Watering reminders and freeze alerts for Climbing bedstraw, free in the app.

Toxicity unknown

Climbing bedstraw (Galium porrigens) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

part shade

Water

low

Size

12"–24" H × 24"–48" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr, May

Native to

CA, OR

Pollinators

flies, bees

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 461 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Picture natives in your own yard

Upload a photo of your yard and Patch Vision shows a rendering of it planted with natives for your region, like Climbing bedstraw.

Try it with your yard

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Northwestern Forested Mountains Sierra Nevada Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Central California Valley Southern California Mountains Mojave Basin and Range Southern California/Northern Baja Coast

Climbing bedstraw is a sprawling, evergreen vine-like subshrub with whorled leaves and tiny star-shaped yellow-green flowers. It scrambles over other plants and along the ground in shaded woodland understory.

Growing Climbing bedstraw

Grow Climbing bedstraw in part shade and low water. Mature plants reach 12 to 24 inches tall and spread 24 to 48 inches wide.

Wildlife value

Host plant for White-lined Sphinx.

The small flowers attract flies and bees, and the foliage is a documented host plant for the White-lined Sphinx moth.

Common questions

How much sun does Climbing bedstraw need?: Climbing bedstraw grows best in part shade conditions.
When does Climbing bedstraw bloom?: Climbing bedstraw blooms in March, April, and May.
Where is Climbing bedstraw native?: Climbing bedstraw (Galium porrigens) is native to CA, OR, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
What butterflies or moths does Climbing bedstraw host?: Climbing bedstraw is a larval host plant for White-lined Sphinx.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

Ready to grow Climbing bedstraw? Add it to your garden in the Pollinator Patch App to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

Add this plant to your garden

iPhone app Android app