Compact Dodder
Cuscuta compacta
Last reviewed: June 2026
Light
full sun
Water
medium
Size
12"–48" H × 12"–48" W
Bloom
Jun, Jul, Aug
Native to
AL, AR, CT, DE and 23 more states
Browse plants for this ecoregion
Compact dodder is an unusual parasitic vine that lacks chlorophyll and appears as tangled masses of thin, orange or yellow stems. It attaches to host plants through specialized structures and derives all its nutrients from them, eventually weakening or killing the host.
In an HOA neighborhood
Compact Dodder 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.
- Parasitic nature damages other landscape plants
- Creates tangled, unkempt appearance
- Considered a noxious weed in many areas
Wildlife value
This plant provides minimal wildlife value and is generally considered more of a pest than a beneficial species in cultivated landscapes.
Common questions
- How much sun does Compact Dodder need?
- Compact Dodder grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Compact Dodder bloom?
- Compact Dodder blooms in June, July, and August.
- Where is Compact Dodder native?
- Compact Dodder (Cuscuta compacta) is native to AL, AR, CT, DE and 23 more states, per the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists.
- Is Compact Dodder HOA-friendly?
- Compact Dodder 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 the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
Ready to grow Compact Dodder? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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