woodland vine

American wisteria

Wisteria frutescens

Native to the Southeast and the Midwest

Eastern US as far west as east Texas, Zones 5 to 8

Light Full sun to shade Sun tolerance
Moisture Moist Moisture preference
Zones 5–9 Cold to heat range
Bloom Mar–Jul Flowering time
Height 25–30 ft 7.6–9.1 m
Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial

In the garden

A woodland vine for sun through shade and evenly moist soil. Its white flowers peak in April. At 25–30 ft, it needs room in shade gardens and woodland edges. Hardy in USDA zones 5–9.

Growing conditions

Light

Full sun Partial shade Full shade

Moisture

Dry Moist Wet

Hardiness zones

Find your zone:

When it blooms

The American wisteria's white flowers bloom March to July, peaking in April. This spring display draws bees and butterflies.

American wisteria blooms white, pink, blue, purple & violetFoliage

Pollinators & wildlife

Bees Common Eastern Bumble Bee

also Eastern Carpenter Bee, Brown-belted Bumble Bee, American Bumble Bee +5 more
Bombus fervidus, Black-and-gold Bumble Bee, Half-black Bumble Bee, Sculptured Resin Bee, Western Bumble Bee
Butterflies Monarch also Silver-spotted Skipper, Long-tailed Skipper, Juvenal's Duskywing

Butterflies that use this plant

Documented host and nectar records. Each links to a planting guide for that butterfly.

Silver-spotted skipperhost & nectar
Marine bluecaterpillar host
Monarch butterflynectar

Full plant details

Where it grows

Habitat: WoodlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
Native range: The Southeast and the MidwestUnited States (17): AL, AR, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MI, MO, MS, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
Native distribution: Eastern US as far west as east Texas, Zones 5 to 8The same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.

Growing conditions

Light: Full sun to shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
Moisture: MoistThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
Hardiness zones: USDA 5–9 · Canadian 6–7The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
Soil: Rich, moist to mesic, neutral to slightly acid soils. Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, ClayThe soils it grows in naturally.
Soil texture: Light to heavy (sandy to clay)The soil grade it prefers, from sand to clay.
Soil pH: 4.0–7.0The acidity to alkalinity it tolerates (7 is neutral).
Soil quality: MediumHow rich a soil it needs. Many natives prefer lean soil and flop in rich beds.
Water use: MediumHow thirsty it is, a rough guide to how often to water.
Drought tolerance: MediumRelative to plants of the same type and region, inferred from where it grows, not a days-without-water figure.
Salinity tolerance: NoneHow well it copes with salty soil, near roads or the coast.
Lime (CaCO₃) tolerance: LowHow well it copes with chalky, lime-rich soil.

Growth & form

Height: 25–30 ft (7.6–9.1 m)Typical mature height.
Life cycle: PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
Growth rate: RapidA relative ranking versus other plants of the same type (USDA), not an absolute rate.
Shape: ClimbingIts overall silhouette.
Root depth: 12+ in (30+ cm)How far the roots reach, a guide to drought resilience and transplanting.

Flowers, foliage & fruit

Type: VineWhat kind of plant it is.
Bloom: Mar–JulWhen it flowers.
Flower color: White, Pink, Blue, Purple, VioletThe bloom color, or colors.
Fruit/Seeds: ripens Apr–DecThe seed or fruit it sets after flowering.
Toxicity: None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.

Propagation & seed

Cold stratification: Not requiredWhether seed needs a cold, moist spell before it will germinate.
Propagation: Bare root, container, seedHow to start new plants.
Seed spread rate: SlowHow readily it self-sows. Slow or none means well-behaved, not a spreader.
Seedling vigor: HighHow strongly young seedlings establish.
Vegetative spread: ModerateWhether it creeps outward or stays put in a clump.