Old-man's-beard
Clematis ligusticifolia
Last reviewed: August 2026
Clematis ligusticifolia is a fast growing vine that blooms from June through August with clusters of small white flowers. It thrives in full sun along streambanks, canyons, and dry western rangeland.
Old-man's-beard is toxic to dogs and cats.
Listed as toxic by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) (last reviewed 2026-05-21). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435and your veterinarian's emergency line.
Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants so you can choose a pet-safe native alternative for your yard.
The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Old-man's-beard as toxic to livestock.
Light
full sun
Water
medium
Size
120"–360" H × 60"–180" W
Bloom
Jun, Jul, Aug
Native to
AZ, CA, CO, ID and 12 more states
Pollinators
bees, beetles
Before you buy
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Old-man's beard is a vigorous native vine that produces masses of small white flowers in summer, followed by fluffy, silvery seed heads that give it its common name. This fast-growing climber can quickly cover fences, arbors, or other structures with its attractive foliage and blooms.
Growing Old-man's-beard
Grow Old-man's-beard in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 120 to 360 inches tall and spread 60 to 180 inches wide. Expect high maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Old-man's-beard 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.
- Extremely vigorous growth can appear uncontrolled
- Fluffy seed heads may look messy to some
- Large size requires constant management in formal settings
Wildlife value
The abundant summer flowers attract bees and beetles for nectar and pollen. The dense vine provides nesting sites and cover for birds.
Common questions
- When does Old-man's-beard clematis bloom?
- It typically flowers from June through August, producing masses of small, fragrant, creamy white blossoms along its climbing stems.
- What kind of light does this vine need?
- Old-man's-beard grows best in full sun but will also tolerate part sun, especially along stream edges where it gets some afternoon relief.
- How much water does Clematis ligusticifolia need?
- It does well with medium moisture but can handle drier conditions once established, which is why it often shows up along seasonal streambeds and canyon washes.
- What pollinators visit this plant?
- Bees and beetles are the main visitors to its flowers, drawn to the abundant pollen produced by the small blooms.
- Is this vine easy to grow on a trellis or fence?
- Yes, its twining habit and vigorous growth make it well suited to fences, arbors, and trellises where it has room to climb and spread.
- Is Old-man's-beard toxic to dogs?
- Yes. Old-man's-beard is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
- Is Old-man's-beard toxic to cats?
- Yes. Old-man's-beard is listed as toxic to cats by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your cat has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
- Is Old-man's-beard toxic to livestock?
- The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Old-man's-beard as toxic to livestock.
- Is Old-man's-beard HOA-friendly?
- Old-man's-beard takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). 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.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants like Old-man's-beard and shows pet-safe natives for your ecoregion instead.
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