Is Akebia quinata invasive?

Yes, it is listed as invasive in many regions because it grows aggressively and can crowd out native plants.

Does it need a trellis?

Yes, it is a twining vine that requires a sturdy support structure to climb effectively.

Plant guide

Chocolate vine.

Akebia quinata

Pronounced uh-KEE-bee-uh kwin-AY-tuh

Also known as Chocolate Vine, Five-leaf, Five-leaf Akebia, Five-leaf chocolate vine, Fiveleaf Akebia, chocolate-vine

Five-leaf akebia — Photo by Stephen Thorpe (CC BY) via iNaturalist

The chocolate vine is a vigorous, semi-evergreen climber known for its unique, fragrant flowers that smell like chocolate. It grows quickly and can easily cover fences or trellises in your garden. You will love how its delicate, five-lobed leaves add a lovely texture to your outdoor space.

Another photo of Chocolate vine — Photo by Anna Burrows (CC BY) via gbif

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Deciduous or semi-evergreen vine
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 20 to 40 feet
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 5 to 9
Bloom time: Mid to late spring

Care

Provide a sturdy support structure for this vine to climb as it grows quite rapidly. Keep an eye out for yellowing leaves which might indicate poor drainage or too much shade. Prune back any unruly growth after the plant finishes flowering to keep it tidy.

Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
Feeding: Apply a balanced fertilizer once in early spring to support new growth.
Pruning: Trim back the vine after flowering to control its size and shape.
Repotting: Repot only if the plant becomes root-bound in its container.
Soil: Well-draining, moist, fertile soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: -29 to 35°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 20 to 50 years
Fragrance: Light
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water running straight through the pot without soaking in.
Stunted growth during the active season.

Safety

People: The plant is generally considered non-toxic, though some people may experience mild irritation from contact with the sap.
Children: The fruit is safe to handle, but always supervise young children to prevent choking on the numerous small seeds.
Contact allergens: The sap can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: There are no significant reports of respiratory allergies associated with this plant.
Edibility: The fruit pulp is edible but contains many small seeds that are best spat out.

How to identify it

Five-lobed palmately compound leaves
Fragrant purplish maroon flowers
Twining woody stems
Sausage shaped edible fruit pods

Height: 6 to 12m
Spread: 3 to 6m
Leaves: dark green, blue green, semi-evergreen
Flowers: purple, maroon, 2 to 3cm
Fruit: violet, purple, Late summer to early autumn

Problems to watch for

Powdery MildewCommon
AphidsUncommon
Leaf SpotUncommon
Root RotUncommon

By symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, layering, seed
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: In colder regions, the vine may lose most of its leaves, but it is hardy and will return in spring. No special winter protection is needed for established plants.
In containers: It can grow in large containers, but it is very vigorous and will eventually require a massive pot or ground planting.

Stem Cuttings

1. Take a 15 cm cutting in late summer.
2. Remove the lower leaves.
3. Dip the end in rooting hormone.
4. Place in a moist potting mix.
5. Keep in a bright, humid spot until rooted.

Plant this vine with other vigorous climbers, but ensure you have a very strong support system to hold their combined weight.

Grows well with

Clematis · They share similar light and moisture needs and look lovely when grown together on a trellis.
Hydrangea · The shrub makes a good neighbor, but give the vine its own support, since this vigorous climber can smother shrubs it grows over.

Similar species

Akebia trifoliata · This species has three leaflets instead of five but shares similar growth habits.

Science

Family: Lardizabalaceae
Genus: Akebia
Order: Ranunculales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Central and eastern China, Japan, and Korea.
Conservation: It is considered invasive in several parts of the United States, so check local regulations before planting.

It thrives in woodland edges where it can climb into the canopy to reach sunlight.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: ornamental vine, privacy screen, edible fruit

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 6/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 5/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is Akebia quinata invasive?: Yes, it is listed as invasive in many regions because it grows aggressively and can crowd out native plants.
Does it need a trellis?: Yes, it is a twining vine that requires a sturdy support structure to climb effectively.

Where the name comes from

The name Akebia is a Latinized version of the Japanese name for the plant, while quinata refers to the five leaflets on each leaf.

Good to know

Akebia is also known as the chocolate vine due to its fragrant flowers.
The stems are flexible and have been used in traditional basket weaving.
It is a vigorous grower that can quickly cover fences or trellises.
The fruit resembles a small, purple sausage when ripe.

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.