Paederia foetida aka Skunkvine

Paederia foetida is extremely easy to grow and requires minimal care. It has wide tolerance of climatic, hydrologic, and soil conditions, thriving in disturbed or undisturbed sites, sunny or shady locations, and dry or wet soils. In fact, the plant is so vigorous that it is considered invasive in many regions, including the southeastern United States. The main challenge is actually controlling its aggressive growth rather than keeping it alive.

Paederia foetida is an extremely fast-growing climbing vine. The stems can reach 1.5 to 9 metres long, twining into trees and shrubs for support. During wet weather in Florida, stems have been documented growing 2 to 3 inches (5-7.5 cm) per day. A single specimen in North Carolina produced stolons up to 13 feet (4 metres) long. The plant forms dense, impenetrable tangles that can cover several acres when allowed to spread unchecked.

Paederia foetida is highly adaptable and succeeds in any fertile, well-drained soil. It tolerates light (sandy), medium (loamy), and heavy (clay) soils equally well. The plant accepts a wide pH range from mildly acidic to basic and can even tolerate saline soils. This remarkable soil adaptability is one reason the species becomes invasive in new environments.

Paederia foetida thrives in hot and humid conditions, where average relative humidity around 85% is ideal. The plant is native to tropical and subtropical Asia and performs best in humid environments. However, it is adaptable and can tolerate lower humidity levels, though growth may be slower in drier conditions.

Paederia foetida generally does not require fertilizer when grown in fertile soil. The plant is extremely vigorous and grows rapidly without supplemental feeding. In poor soils, a general-purpose fertilizer can be applied sparingly, but this is rarely necessary. Given its invasive potential, adding fertilizer may actually encourage excessive growth that becomes difficult to control.

Paederia foetida thrives in warm conditions between 16°C and 30°C (60-86°F) but is surprisingly cold-tolerant for a tropical vine. It can survive temperatures as low as -20°C (-4°F) based on its distribution in Japan, making it hardy to USDA zone 6. The plant is tolerant of at least some frost, though it may die back to the roots in colder areas and regrow in spring.

Paederia foetida can be propagated from seed or by layering. Seeds germinate slowly, typically in 5 to 24 days. About 70% of seeds from tetraploid plants germinate successfully. Vegetative propagation occurs readily when shoots contact soil and develop adventitious roots. The plant also spreads via long stolons that root at nodes. Given its invasive nature, propagation should only be undertaken where the species is not regulated.

Paederia foetida is exclusively an outdoor plant and grows well in USDA zones 6-12 (UK zone 7). It thrives from sea level to elevations up to 3,000 metres in its native range. The vine prefers a sunny, sheltered position but adapts to partial shade. It can be grown on trellises, fences, or allowed to climb trees.

Paederia foetida produces small, grayish-pink to lilac-purple flowers in terminal or axillary clusters. The flowers are tubular with five spreading lobes and are densely hairy inside. Individual flowers are short-lived, opening at dawn and lasting only 1-2 days, but the inflorescence continues producing blooms over an extended period. In tropical areas, flowering occurs year-round; in temperate regions, it blooms from late summer to fall (May-October).

Paederia foetida is notorious for its strong, sulphurous, foul odour, which has earned it names like skunkvine and stinkvine. The smell is released when leaves or stems are crushed or bruised, caused by sulfur compounds including dimethyl disulphide. While the fresh plant smells unpleasant, cooking eliminates the odour, allowing the leaves to be used in cuisine. Interestingly, the flowers themselves have a pleasant fragrance.

Regular and aggressive pruning is essential to control Paederia foetida's vigorous growth. However, be aware that cutting stimulates new growth—studies in Florida found plants were sprouting within 2 weeks after hand-pulling or cutting. For effective control, combine cutting with immediate herbicide application to the cut stems. In areas where the plant is invasive, repeated cutting or burning may be required over several years to achieve lasting control.

Paederia foetida is pollinated by insects, primarily bees and butterflies. The flowers are perfect (containing both male and female parts) but protandrous, meaning the anthers mature before the stigma becomes receptive. This makes the plant self-incompatible and dependent on insect pollinators for fruit production. Stigmas are typically receptive for 2 days or less, during which time cross-pollination must occur for seed set.

Paederia foetida is remarkably pest and disease resistant, which contributes to its invasive success. The sulphurous compounds in its tissues may deter many herbivores. Research into biological control agents has identified the Japanese flea beetle (Trachyaphthona sordida) as a potential pest for controlling invasive populations, though it has not yet been released. The plant's vigorous growth typically allows it to outpace any minor pest or disease issues.

Paederia foetida leaves and stems are edible, though rated 2 out of 5 for edibility due to their strong flavour and smell. In Asian cuisines, the leaves are mixed with grated coconut and spices and eaten raw, or minced and steamed. The offensive smell disappears during cooking. In Taiwan, the sweet stem juice is consumed as a beverage. Despite the unpleasant raw odour, the plant is a traditional vegetable in parts of India and Southeast Asia.

Paederia foetida has significant medicinal value (rated 4 out of 5) and is widely used in traditional Asian medicine. It treats gastrointestinal disorders including diarrhoea and dysentery, rheumatism, and gout. The leaves have documented anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antidiarrhoeal, antidiabetic, and hepatoprotective properties. Active compounds include iridoid glucosides (asperuloside, scandoside, paederoside) and alkaloids. External applications treat swellings, bruises, and herpes infections.

Beyond food and medicine, Paederia foetida has several practical uses (rated 2 out of 5). The stem yields a strong, silky fibre that could potentially be used for textiles, though this has not been commercially exploited. An ethanolic extract of the leaves and stems has been shown to be significantly toxic against the aphid Myzus persicae, suggesting potential as a natural insecticide. The plant was originally introduced to Florida for evaluation as a fibre crop.

In tropical areas, Paederia foetida grows year-round with no seasonal dormancy. In temperate zones (USDA 6-9), the plant may be deciduous and die back to the roots during winter frosts, resprouting in spring. During the growing season, the main care requirement is managing its vigorous growth through regular pruning. Reduce watering during winter dormancy in cooler climates. The plant flowers during the rainy season in non-tropical areas and fruits in early dry season.

Skunkvine’s native range is E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea, Indian subcontinent, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines.

Skunkvine should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

To ensure optimal growth, the Skunkvine prefers bright diffused light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

Skunkvine is not known to cause harm to humans or pets.