Arizona swallow-root Plant Care
Metastelma arizonicum A.Gray
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Metastelma arizonicum, synonym Cynanchum arizonicum, the Arizona swallow-wort or Arizona climbing milkweed, is a plant native to Arizona, New Mexico and Sonora. It is a twining, herbaceous vine with whitish to yellow flowers, growing on rocky slopes and in canyons of desert mountain ranges.
Bright indirect light
At a glance
How do you care for Arizona swallow-root?
Arizona swallow-root grows best in bright indirect light. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Arizona swallow-root Native To?
What Is the Arizona swallow-root?
Arizona swallow-root (Metastelma arizonicum) belongs to the Apocynaceae family within the Metastelma genus. Arizona swallow-root is native to Arizona, New Mexico and Sonora.
Arizona swallow-root displays a vining, trailing habit growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Arizona swallow-root produces small star-shaped flowers in clusters.
What Light Does the Arizona swallow-root Need?
Arizona swallow-root thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Arizona swallow-root in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect light
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Arizona swallow-root?
Well-draining, aerated soil mix with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Arizona swallow-root to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Arizona swallow-root?
Repot every 1-2 years in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Arizona swallow-root?
Arizona swallow-root can be propagated through stem cuttings, division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to metastelma anegadense plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Arizona swallow-root Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
Mildly toxic if ingested, can cause skin irritation
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Arizona swallow-root?
Arizona swallow-root is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, mealybugs. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
Keep exploring plants
Arizona swallow-root is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Metastelma genus — compare its care with other Metastelma species on PlantoScan.
Metastelma is part of the Apocynaceae plant family — browse all Apocynaceae genera and species.
Arizona swallow-root thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Metastelma arizonicum A.Gray, family Apocynaceae (first published in Proc. Amer. Acad. Arts 19: 85 (1883)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Arizona swallow-root is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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