Chinese Wisteria © 2010 Lisa Gustavson
Invasive Chinese and Japanese Wisteria
Chinese Wisteria (Wisteria sinensis) and it’s relative Japanese Wisteria (Wisteria foribunda) are landing squarely on the Most Hated Invasive Plants list.
One of my neighbors across the street has this plant in his yard. Not only is it pulling down the arbor in his yard, it is spreading its runners throughout the neighborhood, even poking its head up through the dirt floor basements in every house on that side of the street.
Needless to say, my neighbors are not happy. This plant is sprouting up everywhere, pulling down fences, arbors, backyard sheds, and even some buildings in its path. Just in my neighborhood, the cost of this destruction is huge.
Chinese Wisteria was first imported into this country in 1816, followed in 1830 by Japanese Wisteria. Because the vines grew fast and provided dense shade, this was a favored plant for porches, trellises, and gazebos.
Invasive Chinese Wisteria © 2010 Lisa Gustavson
An interesting fact I learned while researching this article is that Chinese Wisteria twists clockwise around objects in its path, while Japanese Wisteria twists counterclockwise.
Chinese Wisteria/Japanese Wisteria Destroys Native Wildlife Habitats
This vine grows very rapidly, reaching up to 70 feet with 15 inch trunks. Because of this rapid growth and dense shade, native canopy trees, understory trees, and shrubs can be smothered or killed beneath the heavy weight of this invasive vine.
This is especially a problem in the warmer Southern states, where native ecosystems are being wiped out in the path of this aggressive and fast-spreading invasive plant.
The vine curls tightly around the trees and shrubs that it’s climbing, eventually girdling and killing these trees.
The destruction of native ecosystems means that habitat for birds, butterflies, pollinators, and many insects and other wildlife has been wiped out, leaving them no place to make their homes.
Do Not Purchase or Plant Invasive Plants
This problem can be reduced if we refuse to purchase or plant these invasive species, and by politely informing your local nursery or garden center that this plant is highly invasive and that you will not shop at their places of business while they continue to sell invasive plants.
Be polite and gentle. This is a wonderful opportunity to provide education about the dangers of invasive plants to native habitats and the wildlife that is dependent on them.
How to Get Rid of Chinese Wisteria/Japanese Wisteria
Getting rid of Chinese Wisteria is no easy task, because of the huge trunks and fast-spreading habits, you’re going to be working at this task for probably several seasons. Sorry 
What you need to do is cut off the vines close to the ground. They will, of course, resprout. Keep cutting back these sprouts until you have effectively starved the root system.
I’d recommend cutting the sprouts back as soon as you notice them because they grow so fast, become quite thick, and are much harder to cut if you let them go.
Native Alternative for Chinese Wisteria/Japanese Wisteria
There is an American Wisteria (Wisteria frutescens), that is native from Virginia to Missouri and south to Florida and Texas. Also give these a look:
- trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens), Hummingbird favorite
- Dutchman’s pipe (Aristolochia macrophylla) Host plant for Pipevine Swallowtail Butterflies
- crossvine (Bignonia capreolata)
- trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans) Hummingbird favorite, can be aggressive, don’t plant next to your house because it can damage your siding.
What’s your most hated plant? Which invasive plant to you struggle with year after year trying to keep it under control?
Ask Carole–Have a burning question about Ecosystem Gardening? Or habitat gardening for wildlife? Sustainable landscaping? Or attracting more wildlife to your garden? Ask your question here, and I’ll post the answer at Ecosystem Gardening.
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About Carole Sevilla Brown
Thanks for highlighting the invasive tendencies of the Asian Wisteria. People LOVVVVE them for their scented flowers but they are truly a nightmare to keep under control…..the native American wisteria (Wisteria frutescens) has flowers just as gorgeous as the Asian variety, although they are nowhere near as fragrant.
I think I could give up a pretty smell as opposed to the constant battle that this plant represents!
At my last house, wisteria had gotten a foothold, and I must have pulled over a ton of it down over the course of a single year. I chopped, I hacked, I tore out vast tangles. I was thinking of changing my name to Wisteriabane.
Now that I’m not there to fight it, I suspect it’s all grown back by now, but you can only do what you can do, I suppose.
Some plants really feel like you’re fighting a losing battle to keep them under control, and Chinese Wisteria is certainly one of them. UGH! Wisteriabane, LOL thanks for making me smile
Carole, thanks for the detailed information on the Chinese Wisteria. I’m not that familar with this plant, but can see how destructive it can be. Education is key for invasive plants no matter where you live.
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A nasty fellow that continues to be sold in big box stores along with a score of other invasives here in Middle TN. I have the white flowered version~ and do battle with it all the time. The year after we moved in the former owner stopped by and expressed puzzlement that it was not climbing the telephone pole! gail
*SIGH* Yes, that’s my wisteria… invasive doesn’t begin to describe it. The labor involved with trying to contain this rapidly spreading vine as well as equally as its aggressive underground roots is NOT worth the flower or scent no matter how lovely. There are so many more well-behaved native plants to benefit your yard… leave this one at the garden center!
I have a ridiculously invasive vine trying to kill one of my trees, unfortunately, it is too mature to uproot because of how wide it’s trunk is, is there a method I should be using if I want to move it elsewhere? I would hate to dispose of it or kill it, I believe it is a non-blooming form of chinese or japanese wisteria.