When you’re out in nature, having a reliable way to make cordage can be a lifesaver. Whether you’re tying up gear, making a shelter, or crafting tools, knowing which wild plants can provide strong fibers is essential for any survivalist or prepper. The great news is that nature provides plenty of options if you know where to look. Some plants are perfect for weaving or braiding into durable, flexible cordage, and they grow in many environments. Below are 21 wild plants that offer you natural fibers for making cordage in a survival situation.
Whether you’re just curious or preparing for any outdoor adventure, this list will help you feel confident that you’re equipped for anything.
1. Stinging Nettle
Despite its prickly nature, stinging nettle is one of the best plants for making cordage. The stalk of the plant contains long, strong fibers that can be stripped, dried, and twisted into a durable rope. Be sure to wear gloves when harvesting it to avoid the stinging hairs!
2. Dogbane
Dogbane, also known as Indian hemp, is a fantastic source of cordage fiber. It’s similar to milkweed but produces longer and stronger fibers. You’ll often find it growing in open fields or along riverbanks. Strip the outer bark, and inside you’ll find a tough fiber perfect for making cordage.
3. Milkweed
Milkweed is an easily identifiable plant with soft seed pods and a tall stalk. It may look delicate, but once you remove the outer layers of the stalk, you’ll find inner fibers that are surprisingly strong. These fibers can be twisted into sturdy cordage, useful for many bushcraft tasks.
4. Yucca
Yucca plants, common in arid regions, are known for their tough, fibrous leaves. The long, sword-like leaves can be split and twisted into robust cordage. These fibers are so durable that some Native American tribes used them for fishing lines and nets.
5. Basswood (Linden)
Basswood trees have an inner bark that can be peeled and used for cordage. The fibers are flexible and strong, making them ideal for weaving into ropes. You can find basswood in moist forests and river valleys, and it’s an excellent resource for making long-lasting ropes.
6. Willow
Willow trees are another good source for cordage material. The bark is easy to peel off in strips, and once dried, it can be twisted into strong fibers. Willow is common in wet areas, and its long, flexible branches make it perfect for weaving as well.
7. Cattail
Cattails are not only a versatile food source, but they also provide fibers for making cordage. The leaves, when dried and split, can be braided or twisted into usable rope. Cattails are typically found in wetlands and marshes, making them accessible in many regions.
8. Cedar Bark
Cedar bark, especially from the Western Red Cedar, was traditionally used by Indigenous peoples to make everything from clothing to fishing nets. The inner bark is soft and flexible, but when dried and twisted, it becomes a strong cordage material.
9. Wild Iris
Wild iris plants, especially their leaves, offer strong fibers for cordage. Once dried, the leaves can be braided or twisted into usable string. Wild iris grows in wetlands and meadows, making it a useful plant for those venturing near rivers or ponds.
10. Honeysuckle Vine
Honeysuckle vines are strong and flexible, making them perfect for cordage without much processing. You can cut lengths of the vine, strip the leaves, and twist them into rope. The vines are especially useful in areas where other fibrous plants are scarce.
11. Palm Fronds
In tropical regions, palm fronds provide excellent fiber for cordage. The long leaves can be split and twisted into strong ropes. Many Indigenous cultures have used palm fibers for centuries to make baskets, ropes, and fishing nets.
12. Agave
Agave plants, like yucca, are a great source of fiber. The leaves of the agave plant are filled with long, tough fibers that can be harvested, dried, and twisted into very strong cordage. It’s a useful plant to know if you’re in a desert environment.
13. Mulberry Bark
The inner bark of the mulberry tree can be stripped and used to make cordage. Once dried, the bark can be twisted into a durable rope. Mulberry is common in temperate climates, and it offers long, flexible fibers ideal for braiding.
14. Fireweed
Fireweed grows in disturbed areas like the edges of forests or along roadsides. The stalks of the plant contain fibers that can be processed into strong cordage. It’s a great plant to know if you’re in an area that has recently been cleared or burned.
15. Maple Bark
Maple trees, especially the inner bark of younger trees, can provide fiber for cordage. The strips are long and flexible, making them easy to twist into strong ropes. Maple trees are widespread, so they’re a reliable source for cordage in many areas.
16. Bamboo
Bamboo is a fantastic resource for cordage, especially in tropical regions. The fibers from the inner parts of bamboo can be stripped and twisted into strong ropes. Its combination of flexibility and strength makes bamboo cordage ideal for building and lashing.
17. Wisteria Vine
Wisteria vines have long, strong stems that can be twisted into durable cordage. You can find wisteria in gardens and the wild, climbing trees and fences. Once the vines are stripped of their leaves, they make flexible ropes.
18. Flax
Flax has been used for thousands of years to make linen, and its fibers are equally useful for cordage. The stems contain long, strong fibers that can be processed into rope. It’s a great plant to grow or find in meadows and fields.
19. Clematis Vine
Clematis vines are another excellent plant for making cordage. Their long, flexible stems can be stripped of leaves and twisted into rope. Clematis grows in woodlands and along the edges of fields, making it accessible in many places.
20. Dandelion Stalks
Dandelions may seem fragile, but their stalks can actually provide usable fibers for light cordage. The stalks can be twisted together and used for smaller tasks like tying lightweight objects. Dandelions are abundant and easy to find, especially in open fields.
21. Thistle
Thistle is a prickly plant, but its stalks contain strong fibers that can be used for cordage. With careful handling, you can strip the outer layers and twist the fibers into a rope. Thistle grows in many regions and is often found in open, sunny areas.
