What hardiness zones is Vitis vinifera suitable for?

Vitis vinifera is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

What are the sun requirements for Vitis vinifera?

Vitis vinifera requires Full Sun.

How much water does Vitis vinifera need?

Vitis vinifera has Low water needs.

1 / 10

Vines & Groundcovers

Vitis vinifera

grape

Vitaceae

Mediterranean region, central Europe, southwestern Asia

At a Glance

TypeVine

HabitClimbing

FoliageDeciduous

Height30-50 feet (9-15 m)

Width6-10 feet (1.8-3 m)

Maturity5 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

5 - 9

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

Container Friendly

Maintenancehigh

Overview

Vitis vinifera is a deciduous woody vine reaching 30-50 feet (9-15 m) or more in length if unpruned, climbing by forked tendrils that emerge opposite the leaves. The most economically important fruit crop in the world and one of the oldest cultivated plants, domesticated approximately 6,000-8,000 years ago. Bark is shredding, brown, fibrous on older trunks. Leaves are alternate, simple, palmately lobed with 3-5 lobes, 3-6 inches (8-15 cm) across, orbicular in outline, coarsely toothed, medium green. Fall color is yellow to red-purple, sometimes excellent. Flowers are small, inconspicuous, greenish, fragrant, borne in pendant panicles opposite a leaf in May to June. Fruit is the familiar grape: globose, 0.3-1 inch (8-25 mm) depending on cultivar, in pendant clusters (bunches), ripening green, red, purple, or black depending on cultivar, in August to October. Requires a support structure (trellis, arbor, fence, pergola). Growth rate is very fast at 3-10 feet (0.9-3 m) per year once established. Thousands of cultivars exist for wine, table, and juice production. In the Pacific Northwest, western Washington and Oregon have a cool maritime climate that favors early-ripening cultivars; eastern Washington and Oregon have the warm, dry continental climate that supports the full range of wine grape production.

Native Range

Native to the Mediterranean region, central Europe, and southwestern Asia. Domesticated in the Caucasus region (modern Georgia and Armenia) approximately 6,000-8,000 years ago. Now cultivated worldwide in temperate and Mediterranean climates.

Suggested Uses

Grown on trellises, arbors, pergolas, and fences for combined ornamental and edible use. The lobed foliage, shredding bark, and pendant fruit clusters provide multi-season interest. For table grapes in western PNW, try 'Interlaken' (seedless green) or 'Canadice' (seedless red). For wine grapes in western PNW, try 'Pinot Noir' or 'Pinot Gris'. Eastern Washington and Oregon support 'Cabernet Sauvignon', 'Merlot', 'Riesling', and many others. Space 6-8 feet (1.8-2.4 m) apart on a trellis.

How to Identify

Identified by palmately lobed leaves with 3-5 lobes, forked tendrils opposite the leaves (not at leaf nodes — this distinguishes true grape from other vines), shredding bark on older stems, and pendant clusters of berries. Distinguished from Parthenocissus (Virginia creeper) by simple lobed (not compound palmate) leaves and forked (not adhesive-tipped) tendrils. Distinguished from Ampelopsis by larger, edible fruit in pendant clusters.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height30' - 50'

Width/Spread6' - 10'

Reaches mature size in approximately 5 years

Colors

Flower Colors

green

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow

red

purple

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~2 weeks

Spring

Small, inconspicuous, greenish, fragrant flowers in pendant panicles in May to June. Flowers are self-fertile in most cultivars. Fruit ripens in August to October depending on cultivar and climate. In western Washington and Oregon, early-ripening cultivars are essential; in eastern Washington and Oregon, the full range of wine grape cultivars can mature.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Greenish, inconspicuous

Foliage Description

Medium green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Requires 6-12 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

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loamsandsilt

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

Water regularly during the first growing season. Established vines are moderately drought-tolerant. Plant in full sun — maximum heat accumulation is critical for fruit ripening. Requires well-drained soil; will not tolerate waterlogged conditions. Requires a sturdy support structure. Powdery mildew is a persistent issue in the Pacific Northwest; select resistant cultivars and maintain good air circulation. Botrytis (gray mold) affects fruit in wet fall conditions. Bird netting is essential to protect ripening fruit. Phylloxera (root louse) destroyed European vineyards historically; commercial vineyards graft V. vinifera onto resistant American rootstock (V. riparia, V. rupestris).

Pruning

Prune heavily in late winter (January through February) while dormant — grapevines require annual hard pruning for fruit production. Up to 90% of the previous season's growth is removed. Train to a support system (cordon, cane, or arbor). Fruit is produced on current-season shoots arising from one-year-old wood. Remove all but selected one-year-old canes or spurs. Summer pruning (shoot thinning, leaf removal around fruit clusters) improves air circulation and fruit quality. Pruning is the single most important cultural practice for grape production.

Pruning Schedule

winter

Maintenance Level

high

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 15 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic