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Native Plant Society of Texas

Honeyvine

Cynanchum laeve

Other common name(s):

Family:

Apocynaceae (Dogbane Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

This map uses data from the US EPA. EPA  servers have been offline frequently so maps may not display. We are working on a solution.

Central Great Plains, Cross Timbers, East Central Texas Plains, Edwards Plateau, Texas Blackland Prairies
Broken Red Plains, Limestone Plains, Red Prairie
Carbonate Cross Timbers, Eastern Cross Timbers, Grand Prairie, Limestone Cut Plain, Western Cross Timbers
Bastrop Lost Pines, Floodplains and Low Terraces2, Northern Post Oak Savanna, Northern Prairie Outliers, San Antonio Prairie, Southern Post Oak Savanna
Balcones Canyonlands, Edwards Plateau Woodland, Llano Uplift, Semiarid Edwards Plateau
Floodplains and Low Terraces1, Northern Blackland Prairie, Southern Blackland Prairie

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Herbaceous, Vine

Height

20
to
30
ft.

Spread

1
to
2
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Calcareous, Clay, Moist, Rocky, Sand

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Low, Medium

Native Habitat

Riparian, Woodland, Woodland Edge

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

White

Bloom Season

Summer

Seasonal Interest

Larval Host, Nectar

Wildlife Benefit

Bees, Butterflies

Maintenance

Give lots of room, or pull sprouts, as it spreads easily. Can be trained on a fence, trellis, or arbor. Drought and heat tolerant. Not common in the nursery trade. Aphids are the only known pest. Deer resistant. WARNING: toxic to humans. Native habitat: low moist woods, forest margins, stream banks, riverside thickets, floodplain woods.

Description

Blooms July-August. Growth form is twining, climbing, herbaceous. The leaf is heart-shaped with a long-pointed tip. Small, white flowers are clustered in a whorl on a long stalk. Exudes a milky sap. The fruit is a single-chambered, lance-shaped, smooth, pod which opens along a suture running down one side. Seeds are numerous, flattened, almost teardrop-shaped, with a tuft of long silky hairs. Although still listed by some in the Asclepiadaceae Family, the majority of botanical organizations now list it in the Apocynaceae Family. Larval host: Monarch Butterfly.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Ampelamus albidus, Ampelamus laevis, Gonolobus laevis

References

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Stem Cutting Dip the cut end of the stem in rooting hormone powder. Plant the stem cutting in a well-draining potting mix. Water the cutting thoroughly and place it in a bright location but out of direct sunlight. Cover the pot with a plastic bag or a clear plastic container to create a humid environment. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. After a few weeks, the plant should start producing new growth, which indicates that it has rooted. Once the root system is well-established, remove the plastic cover and care for the plant as usual. Choose a healthy stem from the plant and cut a section that is 3-4 inches long. Remove the leaves from the bottom half of the stem. https://plantiary.com/plant/cynanchum-laeve_1225.html
Seed Stratification Since Honeyvine Milkweed seeds have a hard outer coat, they benefit from a period of cold stratification. This can be achieved by placing the seeds in a damp paper towel in a plastic bag and refrigerating them for several weeks. After stratification, provide consistent moisture and warmth by covering the area with a thin layer of mulch. Gently scatter seeds on a well-prepared soil in the desired location. Press the seeds lightly into the soil, ensuring good soil-to-seed contact. Germination may occur over several weeks to months. As the seeds sprout, nurture the seedlings by keeping the soil evenly moist and offering protection from extreme weather. https://plantflowerseeds.com/products/cynanchum-laeve-honeyvine-sandvine-climbing-milkweed-10-seeds#:~:text=Only%2048%20items%20in%20stock,or%20I%20cancel%2C%20if%20permitted.&text=Cynanchum%20laeve%2C%20or%20Honeyvine%20Milkweed,the%20intricate%20balance%20of%20nature.

About the Region

2026 Fall Symposium Logo

This low-elevations region of Texas extends inland from the barrier islands, about 60 or so miles, and stretches from Brownsville to Louisiana. In total, it covers about 9.5 million acres, with a high point of 150 feet in elevation. More than 1000 species of plants can be found in this region. On the southern end, species more common in Mexico (such as Sabal mexicana) and Central America occur.

The barrier islands provide us with dune systems, and clay flats to the inland side, which have species found in these areas alone. Many plants here, such as Ipomoea pes-caprae (beach morning glory), can be found throughout tropical regions of the globe. I’ve encountered the same species on the beaches of Guam.

Once inland, vast marshes and wet prairies occur. Occasionally, oak (Quercus fusiformis) groves can be found. Common grasses include species of Bothriochloa, Paspalum, and Sporobolus; eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides); and switchgrass (Panicum species). Many rivers and creeks cut through the Gulf Prairies, and along these riparian areas various species of trees, Sabal minor, and other plants adapted to clay soils can be found. Due to overgrazing, farming, and fire suppression, woody species such as mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) and huisache (Acacia farnesiana), and invasive species such as chinaberry (Melia azedarach), Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), and Chinese tallow (Sapium sebiferum) have increased and displaced our native flora.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason