Dodder
Cuscuta campestris
Last reviewed: June 2026
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
12"–96" H × 12"–96" W
Bloom
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Native to
AL, AR, AZ, CA and 39 more states
Browse plants for this ecoregion
Dodder is a parasitic vine that lacks chlorophyll and appears as tangled orange or yellow threads wrapping around host plants. It produces small white or cream flowers in summer but relies entirely on other plants for nutrients and support.
In an HOA neighborhood
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 vine that can kill other plants
- Creates unsightly orange tangles
- Generally considered a noxious weed
Wildlife value
While native, dodder provides limited wildlife value as it primarily serves as a parasitic plant that can weaken or damage host vegetation.
Common questions
- How much sun does Dodder need?
- Dodder grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Dodder bloom?
- Dodder blooms in June, July, August, and September.
- Where is Dodder native?
- Dodder (Cuscuta campestris) is native to AL, AR, AZ, CA and 39 more states, per the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists.
- Is Dodder HOA-friendly?
- 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 Dodder? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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