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Railroad-creeper

Ipomoea cairica

Last reviewed: August 2026

Railroad-creeper (Ipomoea cairica)
Photo: Vengolis / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)

Railroad-creeper 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.

Light

full sun

Water

medium

Size

120"–360" H × 48"–240" W

Bloom

May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Native alternatives to Railroad-creeper

Railroad-creeper is not native to the United States. These natives fill a similar role in a planting, matched on bloom season, bloom color and mature size.

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.

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Railroad-creeper is a fast-growing perennial vine that produces purple morning glory-like flowers from late spring through fall. This vigorous climber can quickly cover fences, trellises, or arbors with its heart-shaped leaves and colorful blooms. It thrives in warm, humid conditions with minimal care once established.

In an HOA neighborhood

Railroad-creeper 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 aggressive spreader that can overwhelm other plants
  • Can look unruly without frequent pruning
  • May be considered invasive by some HOAs

Wildlife value

The abundant flowers attract bees and butterflies throughout the long blooming season. Its extended flowering period provides a reliable nectar source from May through October.

Common questions

How much sun does Railroad-creeper need?
Railroad-creeper grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Railroad-creeper bloom?
Railroad-creeper blooms in May, June, July, August, September, and October.
Is Railroad-creeper toxic to dogs?
Yes. Railroad-creeper 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 Railroad-creeper toxic to cats?
Yes. Railroad-creeper 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.
What pollinators does Railroad-creeper attract?
Railroad-creeper draws bees and butterflies.
Is Railroad-creeper HOA-friendly?
Railroad-creeper takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

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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