Is Calystegia sepium invasive?

Yes, it can be very aggressive and is considered invasive in many areas, so plant with caution and be prepared to manage its spread.

What kind of soil does it prefer?

It's adaptable but prefers well-drained soil.

How tall does it grow?

As a vine, it can climb or sprawl to lengths of 10 to 20 feet or more.

It typically blooms from early summer to fall.

Plant guide

Hedge Bindweed.

Calystegia sepium

Pronounced kal-uh-STEH-jee-uh SEE-pee-um

Also known as Bearbind, Bindweed, Devil's Guts, Granny-pop-out-of-bed, Greater Bindweed, Hedge Bindweed, Hedge False Bindweed, Hedgebell

Hedge bindweed is a vigorous, twining vine known for its beautiful, trumpet-shaped white flowers. It's a common sight in hedgerows and along fences, often appreciated for its ornamental value but can be quite invasive if not managed.

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Perennial vine
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: bright-indirect
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: Vines can reach 10-20 feet in length
Growth rate: fast
Hardiness: USDA 4 to 9
Bloom time: Summer to early autumn

Care

Provide a sturdy support structure for this vigorous climber. While it's quite resilient, watch for signs of overwatering like yellowing leaves. Regular pruning helps manage its spread and encourages more blooms.

Watering: Water regularly, keeping the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, especially during dry periods.
Feeding: Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer once a month during the growing season to support vigorous growth and flowering.
Pruning: Prune back dead or overgrown stems in late winter or early spring to encourage new growth and maintain shape.
Repotting: Repot container-grown plants every 1-2 years in spring when they become root-bound.
Soil: Well-drained, fertile soil
Soil pH: Slightly acidic to neutral (6.0 to 7.0)
Temperature: -23 to 32°C
Humidity: 40 to 60%
Drought tolerance: moderate
Lifespan: Perennial
Deer and rabbits: moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots visibly circling the bottom of the pot.
Water drains very slowly or not at all.
Plant growth seems stunted despite good care.
White mold may appear on the soil surface.

Safety

People: Ingestion may cause mild gastrointestinal upset.
Pets: May cause mild gastrointestinal upset if ingested by pets.
Children: While not highly toxic, children should be discouraged from eating any part of this plant due to potential mild stomach upset.
Contact allergens: Sap may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: Pollen may cause seasonal allergies for some people.
Edibility: This plant is not considered edible for humans.

How to identify it

Twining vine habit
Large, white, trumpet flowers
Arrowhead-shaped leaves
Smooth stems
Persistent, papery calyx

Height: 3 to 6m
Spread: 3 to 6m
Leaves: green, deciduous
Flowers: white, 5 to 8cm

Common problems

Aphids — Small, soft-bodied insects that feed on plant sap, causing distorted growth.
Spider Mites — Tiny arachnids that cause stippling on leaves and fine webbing.
Root Rot — Fungal disease favored by waterlogged soil, causing wilting and yellowing leaves.
Invasiveness — Can spread aggressively via rhizomes and seeds, outcompeting native plants.

Growing it

Propagation: seed, division, cuttings
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: In colder climates, the above-ground growth will die back in winter. The perennial roots will survive underground and resprout in spring. Mulching the root zone can offer extra protection.
In containers: Not ideal for containers due to its vigorous root system and potential to become invasive; it prefers to spread.

Seed

Collect seeds in fall after they mature.
Stratify seeds by refrigerating them in moist sand for 1-2 months.
Sow seeds in pots or directly in the ground in early spring.
Keep the soil consistently moist until germination, which can be erratic.

Division

In early spring, carefully dig up the plant.
Separate sections of the root system, ensuring each piece has at least one bud.
Replant the divisions immediately into well-prepared soil.
Water thoroughly after planting.

Root Cuttings

In late winter or early spring, take sections of healthy root about 3-6 inches long.
Plant the root cuttings horizontally or vertically in a moist potting mix.
Keep the medium consistently moist and warm.
New shoots should emerge within a few weeks.

When planting with other vines, ensure adequate support and be prepared to prune regularly to prevent the bindweed from overwhelming its companions.

Grows well with

Roses — Roses can provide a sturdy structure for the bindweed to climb, and their different bloom times can offer continuous visual interest.
Clematis — These vines can share similar growing conditions and add a different texture and flower form to a trellis or fence.
Honeysuckle — Both are vigorous climbers that can create a lush, flowering screen, though management is key.

Keep away from

Native Wildflowers — Its aggressive growth habit can smother and outcompete less vigorous native plants, reducing biodiversity.
Vegetable Gardens — It can quickly invade garden beds, twining around and choking out vegetable crops.

Similar species

Field Bindweed — Field bindweed is a smaller, more problematic weed with smaller flowers and a creeping, horizontal growth habit, whereas Calystegia sepium is a larger, twining vine.
Morning Glory — Many Morning Glory species have similar trumpet-shaped flowers but are often grown as annuals and are less aggressively perennial than Calystegia sepium.

Science

Family: Convolvulaceae
Genus: Calystegia
Order: Solanales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Widespread across temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere.
Conservation: Not of conservation concern.

It thrives in disturbed areas, hedgerows, and along the edges of woodlands, often climbing over other vegetation.

Value to wildlife: nectar source, larval host plant for some butterflies
Pollinators: bees, butterflies, moths, hummingbirds
Uses: Ornamental vine, Ground cover (use with caution due to invasiveness)

Through the year

JFMAMJJASOND

Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6.5/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 7/9
Moisture: 5/9
Nutrients: 6/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is Calystegia sepium invasive?: Yes, it can be very aggressive and is considered invasive in many areas, so plant with caution and be prepared to manage its spread.
What kind of soil does it prefer?: It's adaptable but prefers well-drained soil.
How tall does it grow?: As a vine, it can climb or sprawl to lengths of 10 to 20 feet or more.
When does it bloom?: It typically blooms from early summer to fall.

Where the name comes from

The scientific name, Calystegia sepium, comes from the Greek 'kalyx' (cup) and 'stegos' (roof), referring to the bracts covering the calyx, and the Latin 'sepium' meaning 'of the hedge', describing its typical location.

Good to know

It's a vigorous climber, often seen twining around fences and shrubs.
The name 'sepium' comes from the Latin word for 'hedge', referring to its common habitat.
Its flowers are typically white with pinkish stripes.
It can spread very rapidly, sometimes covering entire bushes.

Is your hedge bindweed looking unwell?

This page is a general guide. Pocket Botanist diagnoses problems from a photo of your actual plant, works out watering for your light and conditions, and reminds you when care is due.

Get the app

This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.