Is this plant invasive?

Yes, it is highly aggressive and can quickly take over a garden if not managed.

Regularly pull the vines and dig out the deep rhizomes to prevent spread.

Plant guide

hedge bindweed.

Calystegia sepium

Pronounced kal-is-TEE-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

This vigorous perennial vine is a common sight climbing over fences and shrubs in the wild. It produces beautiful, trumpet shaped white or pale pink flowers throughout the summer months. Because it spreads aggressively through underground stems, it is often considered a persistent garden weed.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Perennial vine
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 3 to 10 feet
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 3 to 9
Bloom time: Late spring to early autumn

Care

Provide a sturdy trellis if you want to contain its climbing habit. Watch for rapid spread into unwanted areas, as the roots are difficult to remove once established. Keep an eye out for aphids or fungal spots on the foliage during humid weather.

Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Trim back stems regularly to manage its size and prevent unwanted spread.
Repotting: Repot only if you are keeping it in a container to prevent root binding.
Soil: Moist, well draining soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: -20 to 35°C
Humidity: 40 to 80%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Perennial, typically many years.
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of drainage holes.
Stunted growth despite regular watering.

Safety

People: All parts of the plant are mildly toxic if ingested.
Children: Keep children away from the plant as ingestion of any part can cause stomach distress.
Contact allergens: The sap can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: There are no significant reports of respiratory allergies associated with this plant.
Edibility: The plant is not considered edible and may cause digestive upset if consumed.

How to identify it

Trumpet shaped white or pink flowers
Arrowhead shaped green leaves
Twining stems that climb structures
Perennial growth from underground rhizomes

Height: 2 to 4m
Spread: 0.6 to 1.2m
Leaves: green, deciduous
Flowers: white, pale pink, 4 to 7cm
Fruit: brown, Autumn

Problems to watch for

AphidsCommon
Powdery MildewCommon
RustUncommon
Slugs and SnailsUncommon

By symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed, division, rhizome cuttings
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: The foliage will die back completely in winter. No special care is needed as the roots are hardy and will resprout in spring.
In containers: It is not recommended for containers due to its extreme vigor and need for deep root space.

Rhizome division

1. Dig up a section of the root system in early spring.
2. Cut the rhizome into segments containing at least one bud.
3. Replant the segments in moist soil.

Only plant this near very sturdy, large shrubs or structures that can withstand its aggressive twining habit.

Grows well with

Tall grasses — They provide sturdy support for the vines to climb.

Similar species

Field bindweed — It is a smaller, equally invasive relative with similar flower shapes.

Science

Family: Convolvulaceae
Genus: Calystegia
Order: Solanales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere.
Conservation: This plant is widespread and often considered an invasive weed in many regions.

It thrives in disturbed soils and hedgerows, using its twining habit to reach sunlight above competing vegetation.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, moths
Uses: ornamental climber, wildlife habitat

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

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

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is this plant invasive?: Yes, it is highly aggressive and can quickly take over a garden if not managed.
How do I control it?: Regularly pull the vines and dig out the deep rhizomes to prevent spread.

Where the name comes from

The name Calystegia comes from the Greek words for cup and covering, referring to the bracts that enclose the flower base. Sepium refers to its common habitat of growing in hedges.

Good to know

It is also known as hedge bindweed.
The flowers typically open in the morning and close by evening.
It can grow up to 10 feet in a single season.
The roots are deep and persistent, making it hard to remove.

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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.