Chinese wisteria, Wisteria sinensis, is a woody, twining vine from China grown for its long, hanging clusters of fragrant blue violet flowers in spring. It is considered invasive in much of the eastern and southeastern United States, where it escapes gardens and climbs over nearby trees and shrubs.

Why does Chinese wisteria become invasive?

Because it spreads in two ways at once. Runners creep along the ground and root wherever they touch soil, while seed pods split open and scatter seeds, so a single planted vine can expand well beyond its support into woodland edges and fencerows.

What harm does Chinese wisteria do to trees?

It climbs into the canopy and can overwhelm the host. The heavy, woody stems twist tightly around trunks and branches and can girdle them, their weight can break limbs, and the dense leaves shade the tree from above.

How is invasive Chinese wisteria controlled?

By cutting it at the base and treating the roots. Vines climbing into trees are cut near the ground and left to die in place rather than pulled down, which can damage the tree, and runners are dug or pulled wherever they root.

Where cutting alone leaves roots that resprout, Stump Out Stump & Vine Killer Concentrate, a triclopyr concentrate described as killing vines, is applied to the fresh cuts with its applicator cap so the roots are reached as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Chinese wisteria arrive in North America?

In the early 1800s, when it was brought over as an ornamental garden vine.

Are Chinese wisteria seeds poisonous?

Yes. The seeds and pods contain compounds that are toxic to people and pets if eaten.

Can Chinese wisteria be grown without it spreading?

Only with steady upkeep. Removing pods before they split, cutting runners as they appear, and keeping the vine off nearby trees all limit its spread.

How long does a Chinese wisteria vine live?

For many decades. Over that time its main stems thicken into woody trunks that can be several inches across.