Climbing Milkweed
Cynanchum laeve
Last reviewed: August 2026
Toxicity unknown
Climbing Milkweed (Cynanchum laeve) 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
full sun
Water
medium
Size
36"–120" H × 12"–36" W
Bloom
Jun, Jul, Aug
Native to
AL, AR, DE, FL and 24 more states
Pollinators
bees, butterflies, beetles
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 445 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaBrowse plants for this ecoregion
Honeyvine milkweed is a twining perennial vine that can climb 3-10 feet tall on fences, trellises, or other plants. It produces small white flowers in summer followed by milkweed pods that split to release seeds with silky white hairs. The vine dies back to the ground each winter and regrows from deep roots in spring.
In an HOA neighborhood
Climbing Milkweed takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: high. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
- Can spread aggressively and become weedy
- May climb on unwanted surfaces
- Considered invasive in some areas
Wildlife value
Host plant for monarch butterfly.
This plant is valuable for monarch butterflies as a host plant for their caterpillars and provides nectar for various pollinators including bees and beetles. The flowers attract a wide range of beneficial insects during the summer blooming period.
Common questions
- How much sun does Climbing Milkweed need?
- Climbing Milkweed grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Climbing Milkweed bloom?
- Climbing Milkweed blooms in June, July, and August.
- Where is Climbing Milkweed native?
- Climbing Milkweed (Cynanchum laeve) is native to AL, AR, DE, FL and 24 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- What butterflies or moths does Climbing Milkweed host?
- Climbing Milkweed is a larval host plant for monarch butterfly.
- Is Climbing Milkweed HOA-friendly?
- Climbing Milkweed takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
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.
Ready to grow Climbing Milkweed? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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