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Low False Bindweed

Calystegia spithamaea

Last reviewed: August 2026

Low False Bindweed (Calystegia spithamaea)
Photo: (c) Quinten Wiegersma, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Quinten Wiegersma

Toxicity unknown

Low False Bindweed (Calystegia spithamaea) 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 sun

Water

medium

Size

4"–12" H × 6"–18" W

Bloom

May, Jun, Jul

Native to

CT, DE, IA, IL and 19 more states

Pollinators

bees, 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 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Ozark HighlandsPiedmontNorthern Lakes and ForestsNorth Central Hardwood ForestsDriftless AreaSoutheastern Wisconsin Till PlainsCentral Corn Belt PlainsEastern Corn Belt PlainsSouthern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift PlainsHuron/Erie Lake PlainsNortheastern HighlandsNortheastern Coastal ZoneNorthern ForestsMiddle Atlantic Coastal PlainNorthern PiedmontSoutheastern PlainsBlue RidgeRidge and ValleyCentral AppalachiansWestern Allegheny PlateauInterior PlateauInterior River Valleys and HillsAcadian Plains and HillsEastern Great Lakes LowlandsAtlantic Coastal Pine Barrens

Low false bindweed is a spreading ground-hugging vine that stays under one foot tall. It produces white morning glory-like flowers from May through July and forms a low mat across the ground. This native plant spreads by underground rhizomes and can fill in areas as a groundcover.

In an HOA neighborhood

Low False Bindweed takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

  • Bindweed name creates negative associations
  • Vine growth habit may appear uncontrolled
  • Goes dormant in winter leaving bare patches

Wildlife value

The flowers attract bees and beetles during the spring and summer blooming period. As a native plant, it supports local ecosystem relationships that non-native groundcovers cannot provide.

Common questions

How much sun does Low False Bindweed need?
Low False Bindweed grows best in part sun conditions.
When does Low False Bindweed bloom?
Low False Bindweed blooms in May, June, and July.
Where is Low False Bindweed native?
Low False Bindweed (Calystegia spithamaea) is native to CT, DE, IA, IL and 19 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
What pollinators does Low False Bindweed attract?
Low False Bindweed draws bees and beetles.
Is Low False Bindweed HOA-friendly?
Low False Bindweed 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.

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

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