Cuscuta epithymum

RHS Plant Profile
dodder

Other common names

fairies' hair, hair weed, hell weed, lesser dodder, small dodder, thyme dodder, maiden's hair, ail weed, clover dodder, llindag

Synonyms

Cuscuta trifolii

Annual Biennial

A parasitic, annual, herbaceous plant with slender, leafless, thread-like stems that coil densely around host plants to extract nutrients. Lacking chlorophyll and true leaves, it bears tiny scale-like structures on pink, red, yellow, or purple stems extending up to 1m, depending on host availability. It produces small, white or pink bell-shaped flowers from June to October, held in tight clusters and pollinated primarily by ants, bees, and flies

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Size

Time to Maturity
1 year

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H5

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Convolvulaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Climbing
Genus
Name Status
Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Thrives in open, sunny habitats like heathlands, grasslands, coastal dunes, and sandy or acidic soils. It's particularly common in nutrient-poor, dry conditions where its host plants, such as heather (Calluna) and gorse (Ulex), are abundant

Propagation

Primarily propagates by seed, which can remain dormant in soil for years. Once sprouted, seedlings must quickly locate a host plant or perish

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Coastal
  • Wildlife gardens

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free