Pueraria montana
kudzu
Overview
Pueraria montana is a fast-growing deciduous perennial vine in the pea family, climbing or trailing 30-100 feet (10-30 m) in a single season from large, starchy tuberous roots that can weigh over 100 pounds (45 kg). Young stems are hairy and herbaceous, becoming woody and up to 4 inches (10 cm) thick at the base on old plants. The alternate leaves are trifoliate, with broad leaflets 3-8 inches (7.5-20 cm) long that are often shallowly lobed. Purple pea-like flowers with a grape-like fragrance appear in upright racemes 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) long in late summer, followed by flat, hairy seed pods. Stems root at the nodes where they touch soil, allowing a single plant to spread over wide areas and climb over trees, shrubs, and structures. The vine smothers other vegetation by blocking light, and is listed as a noxious or invasive weed across much of the southeastern United States. Its speed and rooting habit make it very difficult to remove once established.
Native Range
Pueraria montana is native to eastern Asia, including Japan, China, Korea, and parts of Southeast Asia. It was introduced to North America and other regions, where it has naturalized widely, particularly across the southeastern United States.Suggested Uses
Pueraria montana has been used historically for erosion control, livestock forage, and as a source of starch and fiber. In most of North America it is managed as an invasive weed rather than planted. Where regulations prohibit it, the vine is removed rather than grown.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height30' - 100'
Width/Spread10' - 30'
Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-10 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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in full sun to part shade on a wide range of soils, with a pH near 5.0-7.5, and tolerates poor, dry, and disturbed ground. Growth is most rapid in warm, humid climates with long growing seasons. The plant withstands heat and drought once the deep root system is established. It is not grown as a garden ornamental in regions where it is regulated, and Pueraria montana is listed as a noxious weed in many U.S. states under state and federal weed laws. Cutting alone does not kill it because the roots resprout strongly, so repeated cutting or removal of the entire root crown is needed for control.Pruning
Where the vine is being controlled rather than grown, stems are cut repeatedly through the growing season and the root crown is dug out. Cutting without removing the crown produces strong regrowth. The plant is not pruned for ornamental shaping.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
summer