Field Bindweed
Woody or Vine weed
Field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) is a creeping perennial vine in the morning glory family that is one of the most persistent weeds in North America. Gardeners and growers notice it because it twines up and over almost anything, quickly smothering vegetables, ornamentals, and young crops.
How to identify it
Look for slender, twining stems that trail along the ground or climb clockwise up plants and fences, often reaching 3 to 6 feet long. The leaves are arrowhead or shield shaped, roughly 1 to 2 inches long, with pointed lobes at the base and a smooth margin. Flowers are small, funnel or trumpet shaped, about 1 inch across, and white to pale pink, resembling miniature morning glories that open in the morning and close by afternoon. Below ground it forms a deep, spreading root system with slender white rhizomes; roots can reach many feet down, which is the key to why it comes back.
Where it grows
Field bindweed thrives in full sun on lawns, in flower and vegetable gardens, along fence lines, and throughout cropland, roadsides, and other disturbed soil. It grows actively from late spring through fall and tolerates drought and poor soils well. The plant spreads both by long lived seed, which can stay viable in the soil for decades, and by an extensive network of creeping roots and rhizomes, so even small root fragments can start new plants.
Why it is a problem
Because it competes aggressively for water, nutrients, and light, field bindweed can reduce crop yields and stunt garden plants. Its twining stems physically wrap around and pull down neighboring plants, and the deep, brittle root system makes established patches very hard to remove. Once it is settled in, a single plant can spread outward several feet in a season and reestablish from roots left behind.
How to manage it
Because roots run deep, focus on starving the plant over time rather than expecting a quick fix. Repeatedly cut, hoe, or pull the top growth as soon as it appears so the plant cannot make food and its root reserves gradually weaken; consistency across a full season or more matters far more than any single effort. Cover infested ground with a dense mulch, landscape fabric, or thick sheet mulching to block light, and keep lawns and beds vigorous and well planted so competing plants crowd it out. Prevent new infestations by not moving contaminated soil, cleaning tools and equipment, and removing plants before they set seed, since the seed can persist for many years.
Commonly confused with
It is most often confused with hedge bindweed (Calystegia sepium), which has larger leaves and bigger flowers, and with cultivated morning glories. Wild buckwheat, a broadleaf annual, has similar arrowhead leaves but lacks the showy funnel shaped flowers.
General guidance for US lawns and gardens, focused on prevention and non-chemical control. For a confirmed identification and options specific to your area, contact your local Cooperative Extension office. Page updated Aug 4, 2026.