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Butterfly Vine
Mascagnia macroptera
Butterfly Vine is a fast-growing, semi-evergreen vine known for its delicate yellow flowers and unique seed pods that resemble butterflies. Native to Mexico and Central America, this vine thrives in Texas landscapes, offering season-long color and minimal maintenance. It works well on fences, trellises, and arbors, quickly covering structures with its twining, woody stems.
This vine prefers full sun to partial shade and is highly heat and drought tolerant once established. It grows well in well-draining, alkaline to neutral soils but can adapt to slightly acidic conditions. While deer tend to avoid it, Butterfly Vine is not toxic to pets or humans, making it a safe choice for residential landscapes.
Butterfly Vine can reach a mature length of 10-15 feet, with a spread of about 6-10 feet. For best growth, space plants 4-6 feet apart when planting along a structure or fence line. While it remains evergreen in warmer regions, it may lose some foliage in colder winters.
In USDA Zones 8-11, Butterfly Vine remains semi-evergreen but may experience winter dieback in colder areas. Applying mulch around the base can help insulate the roots. In regions with frequent hard freezes, it may require protection or replanting as a tender perennial.
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Flowering Vine |
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Long Blooming Season |
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Unique Seed Pods |
Flower Color:Yellow
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Spread:10-15 Feet
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Spacing:4-6 ft
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USDA Hardiness Zone 8a
Characteristics & Attributes
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Deer Tolerance
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Exposure
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Full Sun |
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Full Sun to Part Shade |
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Habit
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Evergreen |
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Semi Evergreen |
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Soil pH Preference
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Water Needs
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Tolerates Poor Drainage
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