woodland vine

Pipevine

Aristolochia macrophylla

Native to the Southeast

Southwestern Pennsylvania, southern in the uplands to Georgia and Alabama; naturalized north and eastward

Light Partial shade Sun tolerance
Moisture Moist Moisture preference
Zones n/a Cold to heat range
Bloom Apr–Jun Flowering time
Height up to 35 ft to 10.7 m
Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial

In the garden

A woodland vine for partial shade and evenly moist soil. Its green flowers peak in May. At up to 35 ft, it needs room in shade gardens and woodland edges.

Growing conditions

Light

Full sun Partial shade Full shade

Moisture

Dry Moist Wet

When it blooms

The Pipevine's green flowers bloom April to June, peaking in May. This late-spring display draws butterflies and bees.

Pipevine blooms green, purple & brownFoliage

Pollinators & wildlife

Butterflies Silver-spotted Skipper

also Pipevine Swallowtail, California Pipevine Swallowtail, Polydamas Swallowtail +5 more
Southern Festoon, Speyeria idalia, Allancastria cerisyi, Battus polydamas polydamas, Spanish Festoon
Bees Eastern Carpenter Bee

also Agapostemon texanus, Nude Mining Bee, Spot-fronted Wool-carder Bee +3 more
Obliterated Nomad, Pseudopanurgus parvus, Tetragona dissecta
Beetles Fourteen-spotted Lady Beetle

also Cantharis livida, Onthophagus pennsylvanicus, 22-spot Ladybird +1 more
Mordellaria serval
Also visited by
- Flower flies: Broad-headed Marsh Fly, Yellow-legged Bog Fly
- Moths: Eastern Grass-veneer, Plusia precationis
- Hummingbirds: Anna's Hummingbird

Butterflies that use this plant

Documented host and nectar records. Each links to a planting guide for that butterfly.

Pipevine swallowtailhost & nectar
Silver-spotted skippernectar

Full plant details

Where it grows

Habitat: WoodlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
Native range: The SoutheastUnited States (10): AL, GA, KY, MD, NC, PA, SC, TN, VA, WV. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
Native distribution: Southwestern Pennsylvania, southern in the uplands to Georgia and Alabama; naturalized north and eastwardThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.

Growing conditions

Light: Partial shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
Moisture: MoistThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
Soil: Organic, well-drained soilsThe soils it grows in naturally.
Water use: MediumHow thirsty it is, a rough guide to how often to water.

Growth & form

Height: up to 35 ft (to 10.7 m)Typical mature height.
Life cycle: PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).

Flowers, foliage & fruit

Type: VineWhat kind of plant it is.
Bloom: Apr–JunWhen it flowers.
Flower color: Green, Purple, BrownThe bloom color, or colors.
Fruit/Seeds: ripens Jun–OctThe seed or fruit it sets after flowering.
Toxicity: None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.