NPSOT Logo
Join / Renew / Gift Donate Shop Member Portal Language
Search

Native Plant Society of Texas

Search
Close this search box.

Virginia Creeper

Parthenocissus quinquefolia

Other common name(s):

Family:

Vitaceae (Grape Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

Central Great Plains, Cross Timbers, East Central Texas Plains, Edwards Plateau, Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Texas Blackland Prairies, Western Gulf Coastal Plain
Broken Red Plains, Limestone Plains
Carbonate Cross Timbers, Grand Prairie, Western Cross Timbers
Bastrop Lost Pines, Floodplains and Low Terraces2, Northern Post Oak Savanna, Northern Prairie Outliers, San Antonio Prairie, Southern Post Oak Savanna
Balcones Canyonlands, Edwards Plateau Woodland, Llano Uplift
Floodplains and Low Terraces4, Northern Humid Gulf Coastal Prairies
Floodplains and Low Terraces1, Northern Blackland Prairie
Flatwoods, Floodplains and Low Terraces3, Southern Tertiary Uplands, Tertiary Uplands

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Vine

Height

3
to
40
ft.

Spread

to
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Clay, Rocky, Limestone, Well Drained, Moist

Light Requirement

Sun, Shade

Water Requirement

Low

Native Habitat

Woodland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

White

Bloom Season

Spring

Seasonal Interest

Berry, Fall Color, Larval Host

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Birds, Moths

Maintenance

Climbs by adhesive ended tendrils and will cling to stone, bricks and fences without support and without harming the surface. Best foliage color and berry production in full sun. Winter: Prune to direct and control growth. Remove dormant stems. when used as a groundcover. Fall and winter: Berries are poisonous and should be removed from patios and sidewalks to protect children and pets. No additional maintenance needed. Propagation: Seed, Hardwood cuttings, semi-hardwood cuttings.

Comments

Blooms May-June. Vigorous vine or groundcover that climbs by tendrils. Its leaves, with 5 leaflets, are coarsely toothed. Leaves provide early fall color, turning brilliant mauve, red and purple. Inconspicuous flowers small, greenish, in clusters, appearing in spring. Fruit bluish in color. Habitat, creeks and wooded areas. Berries poisonous to humans. Birds eat fruit. Larval Host: various moths.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Synonym(s): Ampelopsis hederacea var. murorum, Ampelopsis latifolia, Ampelopsis quinquefolia, Hedera quinquefolia, Parthenocissus hirsuta, Parthenocissus inserta, Parthenocissus quinquefolia var. hirsuta, Parthenocissus quinquefolia var. murorum, Parthenocissus quinquefolia var. saintpaulii, Psedera quinquefolia, Psedera quinquefolia var. murorum, Vitis inserta, Vitis quinquefolia

References

1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) Miller, George O., Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas 2nd Ed., 2013, pg 48. 3) Wasowski and Wasowski, Native Texas Plants Landscaping Region by Region, 1991, pg. 360. 4) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=PAQU2. 5) https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Parthenocissus+quinquefolia&formsubmit=Search+Terms. 6) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=24067&locationType=County&mapType=Normal. 7) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=28602#null, 8) Native and Adapted Landscape Plants, City of Austin and Texas A&M, 2014.

Get in Touch

Contact the State

Contact a local Chapter

State Office Phone: 830.997.9272

State Office Address:
Native Plant Society of Texas
PO Box 3017
Fredericksburg, TX 78624

Become a Member

Become an important part of a statewide community with over 4,000 members, who are united in our mission to promote Texas native plants!

Join Us!

Stay Informed

To keep up with what’s new at the Native Plant Society of Texas, subscribe to the state office email list. We won’t share your information with anyone.

Subscribe
Facebook Twitter Youtube Instagram Camera
Member Portal
Chapter Tool Chest
Admin Login

Native Plant Society of Texas is a 501(3)(c) nonprofit organization This website and all content Copyright © Native Plant Society of Texas. All rights reserved. Content may not be reprinted in whole or in part without written permission. Contact the Webmaster.