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Peppervine

Nekemias arborea

Also listed as Ampelopsis arborea, Ampelopsis bipinnata

vineβ›… part shadeπŸ’§πŸ’§ moderate water❄ Hardy: Zone 5b – Zone 10b

Climate Match for your location

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Peppervine is a vigorous deciduous climbing vine with small greenish flowers and colorful berries that ripen from red to black. It is valued for its ornamental foliage and fruits, and adapts well to various landscape conditions.

Why grow it

Peppervine offers reliable berry production and seasonal color interest with minimal fussiness compared to many ornamental vines. Its deciduous habit and moderate vigor suit mixed plantings better than aggressive alternatives like kudzu or porcelain berry, while the transition from red to black fruits extends visual appeal across autumn and early winter. It establishes readily in varied soil conditions and tolerates partial shade, making it useful for slope stabilization or screening in areas where more finicky vines struggle.

Watch out for

Young plants may require initial support or guidance to establish on their intended structure, since vigorous growth can become tangled without regular pruning. The berries attract birds readily, which can lead to volunteer seedlings in nearby garden beds if plants fruit prolifically in your region.

Overview

Form
Spreading
Growth Rate
moderate
Size
10–0.1β€² tall Γ— 10–20β€² wide
Dormancy
deciduous
Family
Vitaceae
wildlife benefit

Native to the United States

Native Range

Southeastern United States

Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia

Seasonality

Season of Interest

SpringSummer

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Companion Planting

Plants well with