Ampelopsis

( am - pell - OP - siss )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of climbing shrubs includes species commonly referred to as Peppervine or Porcelainberry. Most are native to eastern Asia and eastern regions in North America. Plants are typically found growing in mountainous regions in temperate climates. They can reach up to between ​10 and 20 feet tall (or long, in the case of vining species), and produce green, lobed foliage and inconspicuous flowers followed by round berries. Take care when planting these in the landscape, as there is some evidence that the berries are toxic to humans and pets.

Ampelopsis Species and Varietals

The genus Ampelopsis includes over 500 species, and is a member of the plant family Vitaceae, making its species relatives of those in Grape and Parthenocissus genera. Ampleopsis growing zones vary depending on the species; for more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Ampelopsis cordata (Heartleaf Peppervine, Heart-Leaf Ampelopsis, Raccoon-Grape, False-Grape)
These plants are native to the eastern and southeastern United States, where they grow in open woodlands, floodplains, and along riverbanks. This species forms a vine that produces climbing tendrils. Leaves are green and heart-shaped, and flowers are inconspicuous. Berries follow flowers, and are inedible, ripening from late summer into fall. This species is considered weedy and invasive outside of its native range.

Ampelopsis glandulosa (Wild Grape, Creeper, Porcelain Berry, Amur Peppervine, Porcelain Vine)
This species is native to temperate areas of Asia, and forms a deciduous, woody perennial climbing vine with palmately lobed green leaves. They grow to reach up to between 13 and 20 feet long when mature. Flowers are very small and greenish-white, and berries that follow are round and be many different shades of pastel blue, purple, pink or yellow with black or brown spots. Variety Ampelopsis glandulosa brevipedunculata is a popularly cultivated ornamental subspecies, and produces blue fruits. A well-known cultivar of the species is 'Elegans' (also known as Elegans Porcelain Berry), which has white and pink mottled leaves. This species is considered an invasive weed outside of its native range, especially in eastern North America.

Caring for Ampelopsis

Plant these easy-to-grow vines in an area that receives full sun to partial shade where they will have adequate room to grow. These vining plants should be kept off of valued trees and shrubs in the landscape, as they can sometimes choke them out. They prefer well-draining soil with a pH of between 6.1 and 7.8 (slightly acidic). If local soils are compacted, do not drain well, or are particularly poor in nutrients, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic matter or compost before installing. Apply a thick layer of mulch around the base of the plant after installation, ensuring that mulch stays at least a few inches away from the stems. This will increase soil moisture retention, suppress weed growth, and maintain a constant soil temperature over the growing season. Keep the soil moist while plants establish a strong root system; mature plants are considered somewhat drought-tolerant, but they do appreciate consistent moisture during the growth and flowering seasons.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. These plants are not heavy feeders, and this should be sufficient to provide the necessary nutrients for the active growing and flowering seasons. Foliage can be trimmed back at any time of the year to control growth and remove dead, damaged and diseased stems and leaves. Doing so will keep the plant at its healthiest form. Pinch young plants to encourage a bushy habit to form. Ampelopsis shrubs and vines can live for many years in the landscape if well cared for before needing to be replaced.

Propagation

Although these vines can be propagated through cuttings as well as via seed, propagation by cutting is so simple and straightforward (and successful) that it is a better option in most cases. To propagate your Porcelain Berry plant, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Ampelopsis by Cutting
  1. Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand.
  2. In spring or early summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
  3. Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
  4. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new shrub or vine.

Problems and Pests

In some climates, these plants are considered to be pests themselves (they can reseed freely and quite aggressively and outcompete native plants for sunlight); make sure to check with local authorities before planting. Ampelopsis shrubs and vines, although generally considered to be easy to care for, can have issues with the following pests and diseases in the landscape:
  • Japanese Beetles
  • Spider Mites
  • Scale Insects
For more information on these issues, including how to treat them, consult the following pages:
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Gallery

These vines are vigorous, and can easily climb most structures using tendrils.
Ampelopsis vines and shrubs produce berries in late summer through fall.
The fruits of some species are very eye-catching, coming in various pastel colors.
Ampelopsis glandulosa var. brevipedunculata 'Elegans' produces white and pink mottled foliage.
Provide Ampelopsis vines with structure to cling to as they grow.
These plants are grown for their colorful fruits as well as their beautiful, deeply lobed foliage.

Videos

These plants are not popular in all gardening circles.
Lean about the Porcelain Berry plant.

Resources

Ampelopsis brevipedunculata 'Elegans'
Porcelain Berry: An Unwanted Berry
The Porcelain Berry Vine: Learn How to Grow a Porcelain Vine
Wikipedia: Ampelopsis
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