Wisteria frutescens aka American Wisteria

Taxonomy

Wisteria frutescens, also known as American wisteria, is a vigorous twining climber that can reach heights of 6-8m or more. This woody, deciduous, perennial climbing vine belongs to the Fabaceae family and is native to the wet forests and stream banks of the southeastern United States. Its distribution spans from Virginia to Texas, including the Northeast Texas Piney Woods, and extends southeast through Florida, as well as north to Iowa, Michigan, and New York. The plant features smooth, glossy green young leaves composed of leaflets that darken in color as they age. In late summer, Wisteria frutescens produces dense lavender-purple flower racemes, which are lightly scented and can reach lengths of about 30cm. These flowers are followed by shiny brown seed heads.

Common names

American Wisteria, Wisteria

How to care for American Wisteria

Difficulty

If you're looking for a plant that offers a moderate level of challenge, American Wisteria is a great choice to test your gardening skills.

Water

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

Soil

American Wisteria loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

American Wisteria requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your Wisteria is always in the right place to thrive.

Dormancy

During the cold period, it is common for American Wisteria to go dormant, resulting in a slowdown of growth. To accommodate this, waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

American Wisteria is poisonous if ingested. We suggest keeping this plant out of reach if you have children, cats, or dogs in the home.

Region of origin

American Wisteria’s native range is South-eastern N. America - Virginia to Florida, Arkansas and Texas.


More info:
Wikipedia