Parthenocissus tricuspidata, Boston ivy
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Vines & Groundcovers

Parthenocissus tricuspidata

Boston ivy

Vitaceae

Eastern Asia — China, Japan, and Korea; woodland edges, disturbed areas, and rocky slopes

At a Glance

TypeVine
HabitClimbing
FoliageDeciduous
Height30–60 feet (9–18 m)
Width5–10 feet (1.5–3 m)
Maturity4 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

4 - 8
Zone 4
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Drought Tolerant
Maintenancelow

Overview

A vigorous, self-clinging deciduous vine reaching 30–60 feet (9–18 m), native to eastern Asia and planted for its ability to completely clothe walls and structures with dense foliage and spectacular scarlet to crimson-purple fall color. Leaves variable: typically three-lobed (maple-like) on mature growth, 2–8 inches (5–20 cm) wide, occasionally unlobed; glossy dark green through summer. Brilliant scarlet, crimson, and purple in fall. Climbs via branched tendrils with strong adhesive discs that grip smooth surfaces including glass, painted wood, and stone. Small inconspicuous flowers in June; blue-black berries in fall, toxic to humans and pets. Hardy in USDA zones 4–8.

Native Range

Parthenocissus tricuspidata is native to eastern Asia — China, Japan, and Korea — growing in woodland edges, disturbed areas, and rocky slopes. Introduced to Western horticulture in the 1860s; widely planted on university buildings in Europe and North America, giving rise to the common name Boston ivy despite no connection to Boston.

Suggested Uses

Planted to cover large walls, building facades, retaining walls, and tall fences at 5–8 foot (1.5–2.4 m) spacing where complete wall coverage is desired. The dense leaf coverage, brilliant scarlet to crimson-purple fall color, and adaptability to sun or shade make it one of the most effective wall-covering vines for Pacific Northwest gardens. Best suited to large-scale surfaces — can completely cover a building face within 5–8 years. Berries toxic to humans and pets — do not plant where small children or pets can access berries.

How to Identify

Identified by the variable leaf shape — typically three-lobed (maple-like) on mature growth, 2–8 inches (5–20 cm) wide, with coarsely toothed margins — with adhesive disc-tipped tendrils that grip smooth surfaces including glass and painted surfaces. Glossy dark green summer foliage. Brilliant scarlet to crimson-purple fall color. Blue-black berries in fall. Distinguished from P. quinquefolia (Virginia creeper) by the simple three-lobed leaves vs. five-leaflet compound leaves; from Hedera (ivy) by the deciduous habit and adhesive disc rather than rooting attachment; from Ampelopsis by the adhesive disc tendrils.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height30' - 60'
Width/Spread5' - 10'

Reaches mature size in approximately 4 years

Colors

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

red
scarlet
crimson
purple

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks
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Summer
Produces small inconspicuous greenish flowers in June–July — ornamentally insignificant. Followed by small blue-black berries 0.25 inch (6 mm) diameter in September–October — toxic to humans and pets if consumed; mildly attractive to birds.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

Variable: typically three-lobed (maple-like) on mature growth, 2–8 inches (5–20 cm) wide; occasionally unlobed when young or in shade; coarsely toothed margins; glossy dark green through summer; brilliant scarlet, crimson, and purple in fall

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Partial Shade
Full Shade
Tolerates up to 10 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 - 7.5(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamclaysand
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

3–5 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in full sun to full shade in any well-drained soil. Extremely adaptable and vigorous. Space 3–5 feet (90–150 cm) apart for wall coverage, 5–8 feet (1.5–2.4 m) for very large surfaces. Water regularly during establishment; drought tolerant once established. Strong adhesive discs grip smooth surfaces without penetrating masonry or bark. Fall color most vivid in full sun. Annual pruning required to control spread. Berries toxic to humans and pets.

Pruning

Prune in late winter (February–March) or immediately after leaf drop in fall to control size and prevent encroachment on windows, rooflines, and gutters. Can be cut back hard to within a few feet of the ground and will regrow vigorously. Trim away from all building openings annually.

Pruning Schedule

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early springfall

Maintenance Level

low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Toxic to pets and humans