Wisteria Wisteria sinensis

This plant is problematic and alternatives should be considered.  Please see the suggestions in the left-hand column.

Chinese wisteria is a deciduous, climbing, woody vine in the Fabaceae (bean) family and native to China. This plant has rapid growth and is considered an invasive weed. Wisteria will grow 10 to 20 feet high and 4 to 30 feet wide. It twines in a counterclockwise direction around its support.

Chinese wisteria needs full to partial sun and moist clay to sandy soil with good drainage. It prefers slightly acidic soils and can grow on wet or dry sites, forming very dense thickets. Wisteria needs space and sturdy supports. Propagate by grafting, layering, or stem cutting. Once planted, this plant does not take well to transplanting. Choose your site wisely. It can be slow to become established. Flowers may not produce until the 2nd or 3rd year after planting, sometimes much longer. Regular pruning is required for shaping and to control rampant growth and invasive tendency. Pruning the roots in the fall may lead to more abundant flowers the next spring. 

In spring, 6- to 12-inch racemes of mildly fragrant blue-violet pea-shaped flowers bloom almost simultaneously, producing a very showy display. The flowers are edible. After blooming, drooping clusters of velvety seed pods persist into fall. Stems become twisted, trunk-like, and massive over time.

Quick ID

• Counterclockwise-twining, woody vine with pinnately compound leaves.
• Pea-type flowers in pendulous chains in spring, before the leaves fully emerge.
• Persistent, brownish, velvety, bean-like pods, 4 to 6 inches long. 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: This invasive plant has no significant insect or disease problems, but a late spring frost can cause damage. Please choose native plants. Some alternatives are listed to the left.