Ampelopsis cordata
heart leaf peppervine
Eastern, central, and southern United States; northeastern Mexico
Overview
Ampelopsis cordata is a deciduous woody vine of the grape family native to floodplains, riverbanks, swamp edges, and moist thickets of the eastern, central, and southern United States and northeastern Mexico. It climbs by tendrils to 20-35 feet (6-11 m), with slender stems that have continuous white pith rather than the chambered pith of true grapes. The bright green, heart-shaped leaves are 2-5 inches (5-13 cm) long, toothed and usually unlobed, on red-tinged stalks. Small greenish flowers open in flat-topped clusters in late spring to early summer, drawing bees and other insects. They are followed by small round berries 0.2-0.3 inch (5-8 mm) wide that ripen from green through yellow and rose to a final blue or purple, often with several colors in one cluster. The berries are bitter and inedible to people but are eaten by birds, which spread the seeds. Its fast, scrambling growth can blanket shrubs and fences, so it needs room and regular cutting back. In cultivation it is used on fences, arbors, and trellises and in wildlife and riverbank plantings.
Native Range
Native to the eastern, central, and southern United States, from Virginia and the Ohio Valley south to Florida and west to Texas, and into northeastern Mexico. It grows in floodplains, along rivers and streams, at swamp margins, and in moist thickets and fencerows.Suggested Uses
Used on fences, arbors, and trellises, in wildlife plantings, and along riverbanks and pond edges for cover. It suits naturalized and screening plantings where vigorous growth is wanted.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height20' - 35'
Width/Spread10' - 20'
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-12 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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grow in full sun to part shade in moist, fertile soil near water; the species favors damp ground and tolerates seasonal flooding and clay. Established vines are adaptable and need little care beyond support and space. Water during dry spells, though mature plants tolerate short droughts. Its fast, scrambling growth can overrun shrubs and fences, so cut it back regularly to keep it in bounds. A strong arbor, fence, or trellis carries the weight of the stems. Hardy in USDA zones 5-9.Pruning
Prune in late winter while dormant to thin tangled stems and limit spread. Vines tolerate hard cutting back and resprout from old wood. Removing berry clusters before they ripen reduces self-seeding by birds.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
winter