When does yellow parilla bloom?

Yellow parilla produces its small greenish yellow flower clusters from May through July, with timing varying somewhat by region and season.

How much light does Menispermum canadense need?

This vine grows best in part shade, though it can tolerate a range from dappled part sun to fuller shade, especially near woodland edges.

What kind of moisture does this vine prefer?

Yellow parilla does well in medium moisture soils and can handle somewhat drier conditions once established, but it does not thrive in standing water.

What insects visit the flowers of yellow parilla?

The flowers attract bees and beetles, which are drawn to the plant during its late spring and early summer bloom period.

Where does yellow parilla typically grow in the landscape?

It is often found climbing over shrubs and fences or trailing along woodland margins, riverbanks, and thickets where soil stays consistently moist.

Is Yellow Parilla toxic to cats?

Yes. Yellow Parilla is listed as toxic to cats by the Cornell University Poisonous Plants Database (aspca.org). If your cat has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

Is Yellow Parilla HOA-friendly?

Yellow Parilla takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Yellow Parilla

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Menispermum canadense

Last reviewed: August 2026

Menispermum canadense, or yellow parilla, is a twining woodland vine with small greenish yellow flowers from May through July. It favors part shade and medium moisture along woodland edges and stream banks.

Toxicity unknown

Yellow Parilla (Menispermum canadense) 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 shade

Water

medium

Size

120"–360" H × 60"–180" W

Bloom

May, Jun, Jul

Native to

AL, AR, CT, DE and 31 more states

Pollinators

bees, beetles

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Yellow parilla is a native climbing vine that can reach 10-30 feet in height with heart-shaped leaves. It produces small greenish-white flowers in late spring through summer, followed by dark blue berries on female plants. This vigorous grower spreads by underground rhizomes and can form colonies over time.

Growing Yellow Parilla

Grow Yellow Parilla in part shade 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

Yellow Parilla 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.

Aggressive spreader that can quickly overtake areas
Requires sturdy support structure due to vigorous growth
Can look unkempt without regular pruning

Wildlife value

The flowers attract bees and beetles during the blooming season. The berries provide food for birds, though they are toxic to humans.

Common questions

When does yellow parilla bloom?: Yellow parilla produces its small greenish yellow flower clusters from May through July, with timing varying somewhat by region and season.
How much light does Menispermum canadense need?: This vine grows best in part shade, though it can tolerate a range from dappled part sun to fuller shade, especially near woodland edges.
What kind of moisture does this vine prefer?: Yellow parilla does well in medium moisture soils and can handle somewhat drier conditions once established, but it does not thrive in standing water.
What insects visit the flowers of yellow parilla?: The flowers attract bees and beetles, which are drawn to the plant during its late spring and early summer bloom period.
Where does yellow parilla typically grow in the landscape?: It is often found climbing over shrubs and fences or trailing along woodland margins, riverbanks, and thickets where soil stays consistently moist.
Is Yellow Parilla toxic to cats?: Yes. Yellow Parilla is listed as toxic to cats by the Cornell University Poisonous Plants Database (aspca.org). If your cat has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
Is Yellow Parilla HOA-friendly?: Yellow Parilla 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 vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

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