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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

Vine

Height

20
to
30
ft.

Spread

1
to
2
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Clay, Rocky, Calcareous, Moist

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Low, Medium

Native Habitat

Woodland, Wetland or Riparian

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

White

Bloom Season

Summer

Seasonal Interest

Nectar, Larval Host

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Bees

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. Native habitat: low moist woods, forest margins, stream banks; riverside thickets, floodplain woods. Not common in the nursery trade. Aphids are the only known pest. Deer resistant. WARNING: toxic to humans. Propagation: seed.

Comments

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

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our fall Symposium host chapter, the Tonkawa Chapter, includes both of these ecoregions.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason