Photo: Tom NortonCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Black Swallowwort Plant Care
Vincetoxicum nigrum (L.) Moench
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
With its glossy, dark green leaves and tiny, star-shaped flowers, this plant originates from Europe and western Asia. Plant collectors are drawn to Vincetoxicum nigrum for its unique foliage and its ability to attract butterflies and other pollinators to the garden.
Every 7–10 days
Bright indirect to partial shade
60–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Black Swallowwort?
Water Black Swallowwort every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Black Swallowwort Native To?
- Albania
- Austria
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- The Netherlands
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
What Is the Black Swallowwort?
Black Swallowwort (Vincetoxicum nigrum) belongs to the Apocynaceae family within the Vincetoxicum genus. Black Swallowwort is native to Europe.
Black Swallowwort displays a vining, twining habit growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Black Swallowwort produces small, star-shaped white flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Black Swallowwort?
Vincetoxicum nigrum requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Black Swallowwort Need?
Black Swallowwort thrives in bright indirect to partial shade. Avoid placing Black Swallowwort in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Black Swallowwort Prefer?
Vincetoxicum nigrum grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Black Swallowwort prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Black Swallowwort?
Well-draining loamy soil mix with added perlite for improved drainage. Good drainage is essential for Black Swallowwort to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Black Swallowwort?
Feed Black Swallowwort every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Black Swallowwort?
Repot every 1-2 years in early 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 Black Swallowwort?
Black Swallowwort can be propagated through seeds, division of rhizomes. Similar propagation techniques also apply to white swallow-wort plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Black Swallowwort Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
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 Black Swallowwort?
Black Swallowwort 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.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Black Swallowwort Need?
Black Swallowwort grows outdoors in USDA Zone 4a – 8b. It survives winters down to planting zone 4a. Black Swallowwort is native to Europe.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 4a – 8b
Keep exploring plants
Black Swallowwort 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 Vincetoxicum genus — compare its care with other Vincetoxicum species on PlantoScan.
Vincetoxicum is part of the Apocynaceae plant family — browse all Apocynaceae genera and species.
Black Swallowwort thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Vincetoxicum Species
Other Vincetoxicum species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Vincetoxicum nigrum (L.) Moench, family Apocynaceae (first published in Suppl. Meth. : 313 (1802)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Black Swallowwort 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.
- Photo: Tom Norton, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 4a – 8b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- 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.
Identify Plants Like the
Black Swallowwort Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species