What hardiness zones is Akebia quinata suitable for?

Akebia quinata is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

What are the sun requirements for Akebia quinata?

Akebia quinata requires Part Shade.

How much water does Akebia quinata need?

Akebia quinata has Medium water needs.

Vines & Groundcovers

Akebia quinata

five-leaved akebia

Lardizabalaceae

Japan, Korea, central and eastern China

At a Glance

TypeVine

HabitClimbing

FoliageSemi-evergreen

Height20-40 feet (6-12 m)

Width6-10 feet (1.8-3 m)

Maturity3 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

4 - 9

Zone 4

Zone 5

Zone 6

Zone 7

Zone 8

Zone 9

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators

Drought Tolerant

Fragrant (light)

Maintenancemoderate

Overview

Akebia quinata is a twining semi-evergreen to deciduous vine reaching 20–40 feet (6–12 m) in length. Leaves are palmately compound with 5 elliptical, smooth-edged leaflets 1.5–2.5 inches (4–6 cm) long, medium blue-green above, carried on slender petioles. In mild PNW winters (zones 7–9), foliage persists through winter or drops briefly in cold snaps; in colder zones it is fully deciduous. In March through April, small vanilla-scented flowers appear in hanging racemes — female flowers are larger, dark maroon-purple, 0.75–1 inch (2–2.5 cm) across; male flowers are smaller, rose-purple, 0.25–0.5 inch (6–12 mm), produced on the same raceme. Fruit are sausage-shaped, grayish-purple pods 2–4 inches (5–10 cm) long with sweet edible pulp surrounding the seeds; fruit set requires cross-pollination between two genetically distinct plants. Growth rate is fast, 10–20 feet (3–6 m) per season once established. The vine climbs by twining and can engulf and smother shrubs, small trees, and structures if unmanaged. Akebia quinata is listed as invasive in several eastern US states and has naturalized in disturbed riparian areas in the Pacific Northwest; close monitoring and containment are advisable. Do not plant near forest edges or stream corridors.

Native Range

Native to Japan, Korea, and central and eastern China. Found in forest margins, thickets, and stream banks at low to moderate elevations.

Suggested Uses

Grown on trellises, pergolas, fences, and arbors in contained garden settings where the scented spring flowers and unusual fruit are desired. Tolerates shade better than most flowering vines, making it useful on north-facing structures. Suitable for zones 4–9. Not recommended for planting near natural areas, forest edges, or riparian corridors due to its invasive potential in disturbed habitats. Fruit is edible when fully ripe but requires two genetically distinct plants for production.

How to Identify

Identified by palmately compound leaves with exactly 5 elliptical, smooth-edged (not serrated) leaflets on slender petioles — the five-leaflet arrangement is distinctive among twining vines. Vanilla-scented flowers appear March through April: larger dark maroon-purple female flowers and smaller rose-purple male flowers occur on the same hanging raceme. Fruit are sausage-shaped grayish-purple pods 2–4 inches (5–10 cm) long, splitting open at maturity to reveal sweet white pulp. Stems twine without tendrils.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height20' - 40'

Width/Spread6' - 10'

Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years

Colors

Flower Colors

purple

maroon

Foliage Colors

blue

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

Spring

Blooms March through April, with hanging racemes bearing both female and male flowers — female flowers are larger (0.75–1 inch / 2–2.5 cm) and dark maroon-purple; male flowers are smaller (0.25–0.5 inch / 6–12 mm) and rose-purple. Flowers are vanilla-scented and last 2–3 weeks. Fruit set requires two genetically distinct plants; grayish-purple pods ripen September through October.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

dark maroon-purple (female) and rose-purple (male)

Foliage Description

blue-green to medium green year-round in mild climates

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Partial Shade

Full Shade

Requires 2-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loamsandsilt

Drainage

well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Provide a strong trellis, fence, arbor, or other support structure; the vine twines vigorously and can exert significant pressure on lightweight supports over time. Water regularly during establishment; once established, the vine tolerates moderate drought. Shade tolerance allows placement on north- or east-facing structures where few other flowering vines perform. Annual pruning is essential to prevent the vine from overwhelming its support or spreading into adjacent plants. Do not plant near forest margins, stream banks, or natural areas where escape and naturalization are possible. Monitor for seedlings and self-sown plants in surrounding areas, particularly in moist, shaded sites.

Pruning

Prune after flowering (May through June) to manage size and prevent spread. Cut back the longest stems to a strong bud or lateral branch. Remove any stems that have escaped the support structure and are growing into shrubs, trees, or ground areas. An annual hard pruning to within 12–18 inches (30–45 cm) of the base can be used to fully reset an overgrown specimen; the vine regenerates rapidly from the base. Remove and bag any fruit-bearing stems before pods open to limit seed dispersal.

Pruning Schedule

late spring

Maintenance Level

moderate

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic