NC State Extension
North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Plant DetailShow Menu

Parthenocissus heptaphylla is often confused with:
Parthenocissus quinquefolia
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Ceratostigma plumbaginoides
Indigofera kirilowii
Petrosedum rupestre 'Angelina'

Parthenocissus heptaphylla

Previously known as:

  • Ampelopsis heptaphylla
  • Psedera heptaphylla
  • Vitis heptaphylla
Phonetic Spelling
par-then-oh-SIS-us hep-tuh-FILL-uh
Description

Sevenleaf Creeper is a perennial, woody, deciduous vine or climbing shrub in the grape family and native to southwestern Texas.  In its native habitat, it can be found climbing on vegetation in rocky or sandy soils in woods and river bottoms. The plant has tendrils without discs and narrow, thick leaflets that turn color late in the fall. The scrambling stems can spread to 30 feet and are typically found climbing on vegetation in woods and river bottoms

Sevenleaf Creeper does best in moist rocky or sandy soils. It can be sited is full or partial sun and will tolerate heavy shade; however, the best red fall color generally occurs in sunny locations. It should be trimmed regularly to keep it under control.

Sevenleaf Creeper resembles the more common Virginia Creeper, but is limited to the plains of six Texas counties, where it is endemic. In its native habitat, the vine is most often found on soil underlain with limestone.

Sevenleaf Creeper can be used as a climbing vine or trailing ground cover, but it lacks the ability to climb and is less agressive that other Creeper species. 

Fire Risk: This plant has a high flammability rating and should not be planted within the defensible space of a home.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:

Watch for beetles, scale and leafhoppers. Mildews, leaf spots, canker, and wilt are occasional problems.

 

See this plant in the following landscape :
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#vine#perennial vines#deer resistant#naturalizes#drought tolerant#naturalized area#air pollution tolerant#creeping#shrub#fall color#groundcover
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#vine#perennial vines#deer resistant#naturalizes#drought tolerant#naturalized area#air pollution tolerant#creeping#shrub#fall color#groundcover
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Parthenocissus
    Species:
    heptaphylla
    Family:
    Vitaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Southwestern Texas
    Fire Risk Rating:
    high flammability
    Wildlife Value:
    Birds are attracted to the berries. Also attracts bees.
    Play Value:
    Attracts Pollinators
    Screening
    Textural
    Wildlife Food Source
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Perennial
    Vine
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Climbing
    Creeping
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Texture:
    Medium
    Appendage:
    Tendrils
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
    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:
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Blue
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Fruit Description:
    Small blue-black berries.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Green
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Corymb
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Small, inconspicuous flowers.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Smooth
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Orange
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Oblanceolate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Narrower, thick, green leaves up to 2 1/2 inches long, turn crimson to scarlet in the fall. Leaflets usually 7 in number, but may be 5 or 6.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Stems are scrambling to twining, up to about 30 feet long, and brown when mature.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Patio
    Slope/Bank
    Walkways
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Attracts:
    Songbirds