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Kadsura japonica

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
kad-SOO-ruh juh-PON-ih-kuh
Description

Kadsura Vine is a flowering, evergreen to semi-evergreen, vigorous vine or shrub native of Japan and Korea. it has a tendency to climb and, in its native woodland environment, will climb surrounding trees. It has glossy, dark green foliage that turns red and purple in fall, but remains on the plant year round. The flowers emit a soft sweet perfume. The attractive leaves and flowers lead to this plants cultivation as an ornamental.

Kadsura Vine does best in moist, well-drained, neutral or acidic soil, but tolerates poor soil and will grow in sandy or clay soils. It will grow in full sun or partial shade and requires a sheltered situation away from cold and wind.

There are male and female plants and both are needed for production of the edible fruit. Kadsura is not winter hardy and the leaves suffer burns in cold weather. However, the plant can be grown indoors in locations where outdoor temperatures are an issue. Flowers are produced on the current year's growth, which should not be an issue since the plants do not require pruning.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:

No known diseases or insect pests.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Chirifu'
    Evergreen Magnolia Vine
  • 'Fukerin'
    Two foot width.
  • 'Piper'
  • 'Variegata'
    Variegated Magnolia Vine
'Chirifu', 'Fukerin', 'Piper', 'Variegata'
Tags:
#evergreen#semi-evergreen#dioecious#ornamental vine#edible fruits#indoor#poor soils tolerant#vine#climber
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Chirifu'
    Evergreen Magnolia Vine
  • 'Fukerin'
    Two foot width.
  • 'Piper'
  • 'Variegata'
    Variegated Magnolia Vine
'Chirifu', 'Fukerin', 'Piper', 'Variegata'
Tags:
#evergreen#semi-evergreen#dioecious#ornamental vine#edible fruits#indoor#poor soils tolerant#vine#climber
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Kadsura
    Species:
    japonica
    Family:
    Schisandraceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    South Korea, South Japan to Taiwan
    Wildlife Value:
    The larvae of the moth Caloptilia kadsurae feed on this plant.
    Climbing Method:
    Twining
    Edibility:
    Edible fruits can be eaten raw or cooked.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Shrub
    Vine
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Semi-evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Climbing
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Fruit Description:
    Kadsura is dioecious (meaning individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant), thus both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required. The resulting fruits can be eaten raw or cooked.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    White
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Cup
    Flower Description:
    Fragrant white flowers blossom from June to September.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Semi-evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    Variegated
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Red/Burgundy
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Deep green, glossy leaves are irregularly edged in white and turn slightly red in autumn.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Asian Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Border
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Moths