When walking through a garden or even glancing at a roadside, you may notice delicate white or pink trumpet-shaped flowers twining gracefully around fences, shrubs, and grass. At first sight, these blooms look harmless—even charming—but looks can be deceiving. This common plant is called bindweed, and while it resembles morning glory, it can be invasive, toxic, and even harmful to both people and pets.
If you’re new to gardening or simply curious about plants in your yard, it’s important to learn how to recognize bindweed, understand the dangers it poses, and know how to handle it safely.
What Exactly Is Bindweed?
Bindweed is the name commonly given to two closely related species:
- Field Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis)
- Hedge Bindweed (Calystegia sepium)
Both are members of the morning glory family. They grow as fast-spreading perennial vines, with roots that can extend deep underground, making them notoriously hard to get rid of.
While some people admire their funnel-shaped flowers, gardeners often consider bindweed a nuisance weed that can choke out other plants by wrapping around them and stealing sunlight.
How to Recognize Bindweed
Even if you’re not an experienced gardener, bindweed is fairly easy to spot once you know what to look for:
- Leaves: Arrow-shaped or heart-shaped with pointed tips. Field bindweed has smaller leaves, while hedge bindweed has larger ones.
- Flowers: Trumpet-shaped, usually white or pale pink, about 1–2 inches across. They look very similar to morning glory flowers but are smaller.
- Growth habit: A climbing or creeping vine that wraps tightly around nearby plants, fences, or poles.
- Roots: Extremely tough, spreading deep and wide underground. Even a small piece of root left behind can regrow.
If you notice vines twining around your garden plants with small white or pink blossoms, there’s a good chance it’s bindweed.
Why Bindweed Can Be Dangerous
While bindweed is not the most poisonous plant in the world, it is toxic enough to cause problems if ingested. Here’s why you need to be careful:
For People
- Seeds and roots of bindweed contain compounds that can irritate the digestive system. Eating them may lead to nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
- In larger amounts, they can act as a strong laxative, which may be dangerous, especially for children.
- Contact with the plant usually doesn’t cause skin irritation, but people with sensitive skin should still be cautious when pulling it up.
For Pets
- Dogs, cats, rabbits, and even livestock like horses or goats may nibble on bindweed if they come across it.
- Eating the plant can cause stomach upset, diarrhea, or worse symptoms depending on the amount consumed.
- Because animals often don’t know which plants are safe, it’s best to remove bindweed from areas where pets roam freely.
How to Handle Bindweed Safely
If you find bindweed in your yard, it’s important to deal with it carefully:
- Wear gloves when pulling or cutting the plant to avoid unnecessary skin contact.
- Do not compost it, as bindweed can easily regrow from small root fragments in the compost pile.
- Dispose of it securely in sealed bags so it cannot spread.
- Keep children and pets away from areas where bindweed grows.
- If you suspect a pet or child has eaten bindweed, contact a doctor or veterinarian immediately for advice.
Tips for Controlling Bindweed
Bindweed is notoriously persistent, but here are some beginner-friendly steps you can take:
