Fabaceae
American wisteria
Wisteria frutescens
Synonyms
Apios frutescens
Bradlea frutescens
Glycine caerulea
Glycine frutescens
Kraunhia frutescens
Phaseoloides frutescens
Phaseolus frutescens
Thyrsanthus frutescens
Wisteria speciosa
Other Common Names
Kentucky wisteria, Texas wisteria
Plant Type
Vine
Life Cycle
Perennial
Typical Size
40 ft. tall
4-8 ft. wide
Tolerant of
Occasional Flooding
Inolerant of
Dry Soil
Propagation
By cutting
Plant Propagation Notes
While American wisteria can be grown from seed, it is faster to get a flowering sized plant from cuttings.
Plant Planting Notes
Requires a large structure to grow on for support.
Plants/Diseases
Susceptible to chewing insect damage and honey fungus.
Wildlife Benefits
Nectar/pollen source for pollinating insects, Host plant for butterfly larvae
Leaves
Compound leaves with lanceolate leaflets.
Flowers
purple pea-like flowers.
Fruit
Legume.
Bark
Vines twine counterclockwise.
Toxicity
Medium toxicity if ingested.

USDA Hardiness Zones
5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Light Exposure
Full Sun, Part Sun/Shade
Soil Moisture
Medium, Moist
Soil Drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acidic (less than 6.0)
Native in South Carolina?
Yes
Plant Native Habitat
Swamp forests and wet thickets.
Global Conservation Status (NatureServe)
Secure (G5)
Federal Conservation Status (USFWS)
Not Listed
Distribution Notes
Common in the coastal plain, rare and exotic to the piedmont, sandhills, and mountains.
Subspecies
Wisteria frutescens var. frutescens
Wisteria frutescens var. macrostachya