< Back

Climbing Milkweed

Funastrum cynanchoides

true

1 Gallon

Climbing Milkweed

In stock

10'

Sizes:

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]

Plant Care

Native region:

Local Native

Water needs:

Low

Exposure:

Full Sun; Filtered Shade

Mature size:

10'

Growth rate:

Fast

Flower color:

Pink; Purple

Flower season:

Spring; Summer

Pruning:

None

Cold Hardiness:

10 Degrees

Nectar-producing:

Yes

Attracts pollinators:

Yes

Nighttime pollinators:

Butterflies or Moths:

Yes

Monarchs:

Yes

Larval host:

Yes

Bees:

Bats:

Birds:

Yes

Nest site:

Nest materials:

Rabbit-resistant:

Tortoises:

Growing Plants in the Desert — Important Information

The information presented here is, to the best of my knowledge, accurate and based on reliable research, personal experience in my own garden, observations from other gardens I’ve visited, and time spent studying plants in their native habitats. I always welcome your feedback and experiences to help me continue educating others!

Cacti:
In my experience, cacti are much happier in filtered shade here in the low desert of the Coachella Valley. Their colors are more vibrant and they tend to bloom more profusely, especially the non-native varieties. If you look closely at how our native barrel cactus and beavertail prickly pear grow in the wild, you’ll often find them tucked among rocks or beneath the shelter of creosote and other shrubs.

⚠️ A note of caution: Cacti and succulents are often illegally collected from the wild, which not only damages plant populations but also disturbs entire ecosystems. In some cases, wild populations of cacti have even gone extinct because of this practice. When purchasing these plants, always be sure they’ve been legally obtained. Look for nursery-grown stock or plants with a native plant certification, and keep that documentation for your records.

Light Requirements:
In our desert (Sonoran/Colorado), “full sun” doesn’t always mean what you might think. Many so-called full-sun plants benefit from and actually appreciate some late-afternoon filtered light—especially during the intense summer months.