10 Stunning Native Vining Plants That Attract Pollinators

These native vining plants support wildlife and they’re an eco-friendly alternative to popular invasive vines.

Invasive, non-native vines, like kudzu and oriental bittersweet, have given vining plants a bad reputation. However, North America has a lot of native vines that play an important role in the ecosystem, support pollinators, and have plenty of ornamental charm. When you need a vine or climbing plant for your trellis or arbor, choosing one of these native vines can make your garden even more wildlife-friendly and appealing to the eye.

Dutchman’s Pipe

Native throughout the eastern United States, Dutchman’s pipe (Aristolochia macrophylla) is a fast-growing vine with heart-shaped leaves and fascinating flowers that resemble the shape of a smoking pipe. Although these plants grow aggressively in parts of Florida, they play an important role in their native range and are the primary host plants for pipevine swallowtail butterflies.

Growing Conditions: Full sun or part shade and rich, moist, well-drained soil

Size: Up to 20 feet

Zones: 4–8

American Wisteria

Japanese wisteria is invasive throughout much of North America, but American wisteria (Wisteria frutescens) is another story. This native plant is found throughout Virginia, Florida, Texas, Illinois, and areas in between, and it doesn’t grow as aggressively as its Asian cousin. Fragrant, purple clusters of flowers emerge in spring and look best on a trellis or arbor, but you’ll want to plant these beauties in full sun to get the best blooms.

Growing Conditions: Full sun and moist, well-drained soil

Size: Up to 30 feet tall

Zones: 5–9

Coral Honeysuckle

There are several species of invasive honeysuckle, but coral honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) is a well-behaved native vine that’s found throughout much of the eastern half of North America. Also known as trumpet honeysuckle, this plant produces an alluring display of tubular, coral-colored flowers that hummingbirds can’t resist from spring through early summer. To maximize the benefits to wildlife, plant coral honeysuckle near a birdbath or bird feeder.

Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained, loamy soil

Size: Up to 12 feet

Zones: 4–9

Related: The 5 Best Bird Feeders of 2024, According to Testing

Crossvine

Another hummingbird favorite, crossvine (Bignonia capreolata) produces big, trumpet-shaped flowers from late winter to early spring. These vines are native throughout the southeastern and south-central United States and tolerate a range of soils. However, crossvines are more flammable than your average plant, so you may want to keep them away from your home.

Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade and well-drained soil

Size: 20 to 50 feet

Zones: 6–9

Trumpet Vine

Trumpet vine (Campsis radicans) and crossvine are closely related plants, but trumpet vine is deciduous, while crossvine commonly keeps its leaves through winter. Trumpet vine’s big, red blooms demand attention in any garden, but this plant is also a magnet for hummingbirds and other pollinators. It’s native to the eastern United States but has spread across the country. Trumpet vines grow well in relatively poor soil and rarely need fertilizer. However, this vine can grow aggressively outside of its native range.

Growing Conditions: Full sun and poor soil

Size: 20 to 40 feet

Zones: 5–9

Virginia Creeper

Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) is often confused with poison ivy (which is also a native plant), but this vine has five leaflets, not three. It is native to the eastern and central United States. Use Virginia creeper as a low-maintenance groundcover or allow it to climb vertically and enjoy its colorful leaves when they blush red in autumn. Chickadees, nuthatches, and other songbirds love Virginia creeper berries, and these vines are also host plants for several types of sphinx moths. It can grow aggressively in warmer regions.

Growing Conditions: Full sun to full shade and soil types from sandy to loamy

Size: 30 to 50 feet

Zones: 3–9

Related: 25 Best Native Plants for Attracting Birds to Your Yard

Common Hops

If you want to get even more use out of your vining plants, try growing an edible, native vine like common hops (Humulus lupulus). Native throughout North America, hops are most famously used for beer-making, but they can also be brewed into hot teas, and their flowers are highly attractive to butterflies like the red admiral. Most hops vines grow between 10 and 15 feet in length, but healthy plants can stretch over 30 feet long when mature, so make sure you have a sturdy trellis.

Growing Conditions: Full to part sun and well-drained, sandy loam soil

Size: 10 to 30 feet

Zones: 5–8

Wild Grape

Another edible option, wild grape vines (Vitis spp.) produce smaller and more tart fruit than their cultivated cousins, and are generally easier to grow. Songbirds and gamebirds adore the fruit, but you can also harvest wild grapes for your own use.Like other grapes, wild grapes ripen toward the end of summer, and you can eat them right off the vine or use them to make jams, pies, and jellies. The leaves, which are also edible, turn a buttery yellow in fall.

Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil

Size: 50 to 100 feet

Zones: 4-9

Purple Passionflower

Native to the south-central and southeastern United States, purple passionflower(Passiflora incarnata) is a woody vine in hot areas but a tender, herbaceous vine in cooler climates. These plants produce intriguing purple flowers and edible fruit that can be eaten off the vine or turned into jelly. Disease and drought-resistant passionflower is surprisingly easy to keep despite its tropical look, and it can even be grown as a houseplant.

Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil

Size: Up to 10 feet

Zones: 6–9

Virgin’s Bower

Also known as the devil’s darning needle or woodbine, virgin’s bower (Clematis virginiana) is a vining clematis that’s native throughout the eastern and central United States and Canada. A fine choice for woodland gardens and wildlife habitats, virgin’s bower attracts all sorts of pollinators, including hummingbirds. Moist soils are ideal for these plants. A well-maintained virgin’s bower vine can quickly stretch up to 20 feet long in the right conditions.

Growing Conditions: Full to part sun and medium to wet, well-drained soil

Size: 10 to 20 feet

Zones: 3–9

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