Plant guide

Oriental bittersweet.

Celastrus orbiculatus

Pronounced seh-LAS-trus or-bik-yoo-LAY-tus

Also known as Asian Bittersweet, Asiatic Bittersweet, Japanese Bittersweet, Oriental Bittersweet, Oriental staff vine, Staff Vine, Staff-vine, Staffvine

Oriental bittersweet is a vigorous, deciduous woody vine known for its aggressive climbing habit. It produces small, greenish flowers followed by vibrant yellow and red fruit that birds love. Please be aware that this plant is considered highly invasive in many parts of North America.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Deciduous woody vine
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 30 to 40 feet
Growth rate: Fast

Care

This plant is incredibly hardy and requires very little intervention to thrive. Watch for signs of it spreading beyond your intended area, as it can quickly overtake nearby trees and structures. Pruning is mostly needed to keep its aggressive growth in check.

Watering: Water regularly until established, then it becomes quite drought tolerant.
Feeding: It rarely needs fertilizer, but a light application of balanced feed in spring can help if growth is stunted.
Pruning: Prune back heavily in late winter to control its size and prevent it from climbing unwanted structures.
Repotting: If kept in a container, move it to a larger pot every few years once it becomes root bound.
Soil: Well-draining, adaptable to various soil types
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5

Safety

Pets: The berries and foliage can be toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.

How to identify it

Alternate, rounded, glossy green leaves
Small, greenish, inconspicuous flowers
Yellow capsules splitting to reveal red seeds
Twining woody stems that strangle trees

Science

Family: Celastraceae
Genus: Celastrus
Order: Celastrales
Class: Magnoliopsida

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Also in

Plants toxic to cats and dogs

Is your oriental bittersweet looking unwell?

This page is a general guide. Pocket Botanist diagnoses problems from a photo of your actual plant, works out watering for your light and conditions, and reminds you when care is due.

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