Queen's Wreath
Antigonon leptopus
A fast-growing vine with cascades of bright pink flowers that attracts bees and birds, dying back in winter and regrowing vigorously.
Root-hardy in USDA zones 8-11; the top freezes off in the low-to-mid 20s°F but the tuber resprouts each spring, and it thrives in the hottest low-desert exposures.
AMWUA Notes
A tuberous, heat-loving vine that regrows from the root after frost; give it a strong support and room, as it climbs and seeds vigorously.
Care Guide
Water deeply once or twice a week through summer for lush growth and heavy bloom; the tuberous root lets it survive drought, but it flowers far better with regular moisture.
Cut the entire top back to a few inches after it freezes or in late winter; it resprouts vigorously from the tuber each spring, so hard renewal pruning is expected.
Feed lightly in spring as growth resumes; it is a strong grower that needs little encouragement.
Largely pest-free; its main drawback is enthusiastic self-seeding and spread in favorable spots.
Sprays of bright pink flowers cover the vine summer into fall; it dies to the ground with the first hard frost and returns from the tuber in spring.
Soil, Feeding & Propagation
Adaptable to most well-drained soils including poor, rocky, and alkaline desert ground; the tuberous root stores water for drought.
Needs well-drained soil.
Low feeder.
Seed, tuber division, or softwood cuttings; self-seeds readily in favorable spots.
8-12 ft apart along a fence or arbor (15 ft mature spread)
Tuberous root resprouts after frost and it self-seeds vigorously; remove volunteer seedlings to limit its spread.
Placement Tips
- •Provide a sturdy trellis, arbor, or chain-link fence for its grasping tendrils to climb 15 ft.
- •Excellent for quick warm-season shade on a patio ramada or pergola.
- •Site where its winter dieback and spring regrowth cycle is acceptable, not as an evergreen screen.
- •Give full sun; deadhead or remove seedlings if you want to limit its spread.
Features
Best Uses
Ecological Value
Attracts
Wildlife Value
Companion Plants
Quick Stats
Design Styles
Include in Your Project
Love Queen's Wreath? Our landscape team sources from wholesale nurseries and can incorporate it into your design.
Talk to a Dream BuilderGet a Project EstimateAlready a Client?
Use this care guide to maintain your Queen's Wreath. Questions about your landscape? Reach out anytime.
Data from 2024 AMWUA “Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert” guide.
Queen's Wreath — common questions
Answers for low-desert Phoenix conditions, drawn from this plant’s growing data.
How much water does Queen's Wreath need in Phoenix?
Queen's Wreath is a moderate-water vine once established. Water deeply once or twice a week through summer for lush growth and heavy bloom; the tuberous root lets it survive drought, but it flowers far better with regular moisture. A tuberous, heat-loving vine that regrows from the root after frost; give it a strong support and room, as it climbs and seeds vigorously.
How big does Queen's Wreath get?
Expect roughly 15 ft tall and 15 ft wide at maturity, with a fast growth rate. Allow about 8-12 ft apart along a fence or arbor (15 ft mature spread) of spacing when planting. Tuberous root resprouts after frost and it self-seeds vigorously; remove volunteer seedlings to limit its spread.
Can you plant Queen's Wreath near a pool?
Yes. Queen's Wreath is considered pool-friendly, meaning it stays clean enough around water features and hardscape. Litter is rated low.
Can Queen's Wreath handle Arizona heat and winter frost?
Queen's Wreath is hardy in USDA 9-11 and wants full sun. Root-hardy in USDA zones 8-11; the top freezes off in the low-to-mid 20s°F but the tuber resprouts each spring, and it thrives in the hottest low-desert exposures. Sprays of bright pink flowers cover the vine summer into fall; it dies to the ground with the first hard frost and returns from the tuber in spring.
Does Queen's Wreath have thorns?
No. Queen's Wreath is thornless, so it is safe alongside walkways, patios and play areas.
Is Queen's Wreath safe around pets?
Queen's Wreath is listed as pet-friendly in this guide. If your dog is a determined chewer, check any new plant with your vet before planting.
When does Queen's Wreath bloom in Arizona?
Queen's Wreath blooms in summer-fall, with bright pink flowers. The bloom draws bees.
How much maintenance does Queen's Wreath need?
Queen's Wreath is low-maintenance. Leaf, flower and pod litter is rated low. Cut the entire top back to a few inches after it freezes or in late winter; it resprouts vigorously from the tuber each spring, so hard renewal pruning is expected.
What kind of soil does Queen's Wreath need?
Adaptable to most well-drained soils including poor, rocky, and alkaline desert ground; the tuberous root stores water for drought. Nutrient needs are low. Feed lightly in spring as growth resumes; it is a strong grower that needs little encouragement.
Is Queen's Wreath native to Arizona?
No. Queen's Wreath is not an Arizona native; it originates from the Baja California, Sonora Mexico to Central/South America, but it is grown successfully in low-desert landscapes here.