About
A medium-sized, evergreen shrub or small tree from Southeast Asia with elliptic, mid-green leaves and small clusters of tiny, inconspicuous flowers, followed by small, fleshy, pale fruits. A rarely cultivated species for warm, humid glasshouse or tropical garden conditions.
About the genus
Vitis are vigorous deciduous climbing shrubs with tendrils and attractively lobed leaves, insignificant green flowers followed by often edible fruits; some have excellent autumn foliage colour
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAlkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeFruit Edible, Climber Wall Shrub
HabitClimbing
FoliageDeciduous
HeightHigher than 12 metres
Spreadwider than 8 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesMixed borders, hedging, foundation planting.
Native toE Asia
ToxicityPets (dogs): Harmful if eaten whether fruits are edible or ornamental - for further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Care notes
CultivationGrow in full sun, in well-drained, humus-rich, preferably neutral to slightly alkaline soil. Keep watered in dry spells. See grape cultivation
PruningPruning group 11 in midwinter, and in midsummer to restrict growth if necessary. See grape pruning
PropagationPropagate by layering in autumn or hardwood cuttings in late winter
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to grapevine blister mite, glasshouse red spider mite, brown scale, woolly vine scale and spotted wing drosophila (fruit fly)
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to powdery mildews, grey moulds, honey fungus and virus diseases; see grapevine diseases