How to Get Vines in Minecraft

Guide Java Bedrock

Quick answer: Break vines with shears: it is the only way to collect them. Find them in jungles, swamps, mangrove swamps and lush caves, or buy 3 from a wandering trader for 1 emerald. Any other tool destroys them and drops nothing, and Efficiency II or higher on shears breaks them instantly.

What you need

Shears
Efficiency enchantment (optional)

Step by step

Craft shears if you do not have them. Vines drop only when broken with shears.
Go to a jungle, swamp, mangrove swamp or lush cave. Jungle trees have vines on trunks and canopy edges, and oak trees in swamps and mangrove trees have them too.
Also check jungle pyramids, the allium room in woodland mansions and the watchtower walls of pillager outposts.
Break them with shears. If several vines share one block space, breaking one breaks them all.
For speed, put Efficiency II or above on the shears to break vines instantly.
Alternatively buy 3 vines for 1 emerald from a wandering trader.

Java vs Bedrock

In Bedrock Edition vines can also generate on dying oak, spruce, jungle and dark oak trees, and a killed wandering trader showing vines has an 8.5% chance (+1% per Looting level) to drop 3 if you hold an emerald.

Versions: Vines generate on 2x2 jungle trees grown from saplings and on mangrove trees grown from propagules.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get vines without shears?

No for mining. Any item destroys vines, but only shears collect them. An axe is faster but does not collect them, even with Silk Touch. A wandering trader sells them.

Where do vines generate?

In jungles, swamps, mangrove swamps and lush caves, plus jungle pyramids, woodland mansion allium rooms and pillager outpost watchtower walls.

How fast can I break vines?

Instantly with shears enchanted with Efficiency II or above.