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Climbing Milkweed

Funastrum cynanchoides

1 Gallon

Plant Care

Climbing Milkweed

Out of stock

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Local Native

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10 Degrees

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Monarchs:

Yes

Rabbit-resistant:

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Yes

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Climbing Milkweed — Funastrum cynanchoides

Also known as: Twining Milkweed, Fringed Twinevine, Southwest Milkweed Vine

Climbing Milkweed is one of those plants that doesn’t look like much in a nursery pot—but give it a chance in the garden, and it becomes a wildlife magnet and seasonal showstopper. Native to desert washes, fence lines, and canyon edges across the Southwest and into Mexico, this twining, herbaceous vine scrambles through shrubs or up supports with ease. It dies back to the ground in winter, then returns in spring with vigor and determination.

The narrow, opposite leaves and slender green stems often go unnoticed until the plant bursts into bloom with clusters of pale pink to purplish star-shaped flowers, typically from late spring through summer. The blooms aren’t just pretty—they're packed with nectar and absolutely mobbed by pollinators. The scent is subtle but sweet, and when it’s in full bloom, it’s hard not to stop and watch the activity around it.

While it isn’t a true milkweed in the Asclepias genus, Funastrum cynanchoides is still a bona fide host plant for Monarchs and Queens. The caterpillars feed on its foliage just like they would on any other milkweed, and it's a critical part of the native monarch habitat in the desert Southwest. It also supports occasional nectar visits from other butterflies like the Gray Hairstreak.

Once flowering ends, long slender seed pods appear, splitting open to release silky, wind-dispersed seeds. It grows best in full sun to part shade, with excellent drainage and very little water once established. Climbing Milkweed will happily twine through mesquites and creosote or climb up fencing and trellises. In a wildlife garden, it adds texture and structure while providing essential resources for pollinators.

Wildlife Value

Host Plant: Monarch (Danaus plexippus); Queen (Danaus gilippus)
Nectar Source: Queen (Danaus gilippus); Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus); native bees
Bird Resources: Insects
Bird Species: Black-throated Sparrow (Amphispiza bilineata); Verdin (Auriparus flaviceps) [insect foraging]

Growing Plants in the Desert — Important Information

The information presented here is, to the best of my knowledge, accurate and based on my research from reliable sources, observations I have made of plants growing in my, and other gardens I have visited, and observations of the plants in their native habitats. I would appreciate your feedback and experience to help me educate others!

Cacti: In my experience, cacti are much happier in the filtered shade here in the low desert of the Coachella Valley. Colors are more vibrant and they bloom more profusely, especially the non-native varieties. If you pay attention to how our native barrel and beavertail opuntia grow in the wild, it is frequently tucked in the rocks under creosote or another shrub.

Light Requirements: I have found that in our desert (Sonoran/Colorado) “full sun” plants can take and appreciate the late afternoon filtered sun, especially in the hot summer months.