Species kudzu vine

kudzu vine

Pueraria montana var. lobata

Kudzu vine (Pueraria montana var. lobata) is an invasive, fast-growing plant that originated from Japan and was introduced to the U.S. in the late 19th century. Growing up to a foot a day, it is capable of smothering entire forests and structures. It's defined by its deep green foliage and pale purple flowers that bloom from mid summer to early autumn. It can be a danger to agricultural crops, wildlife habitats, and even human safety when allowed to grow out of control. With proper management, however, it can be a beneficial plant, used to stop erosion, preserve soil, and provide forage for livestock.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Minimum

Propagation:

Layering Propagation,Cutting,Division,Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

5 - 10

Flowers:

Purple Flowers

Sun:

Full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,tan

Growth Rate:

High

Maintenance:

High

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Invasive:

Yes

watering

Kudzu vine needs to be watered deeply but infrequently; a good rule of thumb is to water when the first 2 inches of soil are dry. For mature kudzu vines, water once every 2 weeks. For young, freshly planted kudzu vines, water twice per week. During dry, hot months, water may need to be increased to once per week. Make sure to check the soil moisture frequently to prevent over-watering.

sunlight

Kudzu vine (Pueraria montana var. lobata) requires full sunlight for optimal growth. During the spring and summer months, the plant should receive full sun (6 to 8 hours/day) and remain in a warm, sunny spot. In the fall and winter, however, the sunlight requirements can be slightly reduced, with the kudzu vine needing 4 to 6 hours of sunlight per day. This variance ensures that the plant will be able to receive adequate sunlight in a warm, sunny spot for its bloom and production of foliage.

pruning

Kudzu vine (Pueraria montana var. lobata) is a fast-growing perennial vining plant that should be pruned on an annual basis. Pruning should be done in late spring or early summer, after the last frost of the season. The goal of pruning is to keep the plant from growing too large and to remove any dead or diseased growth. First, remove any dead or damaged portions of the vine. These can be identified by their dry, discolored, or withered appearances. Next, prune back any stems that are growing beyond where you want the vine to grow. This can help encourage new healthy growth and ensure that the vine is not taking over the garden. Next, pinch off any stems that have started to flower. This will help to control the spread of the plant. Finally, if needed, prune back any areas of the vine that are growing too large or out of the bounds of the desired area. This will keep the vine from becoming unmanageable. When pruning, it’s important to use clean, sharp pruning shears to avoid creating wounds or injuries that bacteria or fungal spores can enter. After pruning, it’s also a good idea to remove any debris or clippings from around the plant to help reduce the chances of disease.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Kudzu vine typically starts flowering in June or July.

Hardiness Map