Climber · Vitaceae family
Virginia creeper
Parthenocissus quinquefolia
In short a 10-second read
Virginia creeper (climber) grows to 9.2–15.3 m tall and 1.5–3.1 m wide when mature. It grows best in full sun to shade, in dry to average soil. It flowers in May–August; the flowers are green or white. Hardy to −40 °C.
× spread 1.5–3.1 m
Where to plant
Sun, soil, frost.
It grows best in full sun to shade, in dry to average soil. Hardy to −40 °C.
Sun
Tolerates several positions — choose to suit the rest of the garden.
Soil and water
dry to average · watering: moderate
Soil: clay, humus-rich, loamy, sandy
Soil pH 5.5–8.5
Frost
It copes with a normal winter outdoors.
How much space it takes
Mature size.
The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).
Next to a person
Reaches maturity in about 5–10 years. The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.
Calendar
What to do and when.
Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.
The year at a glance
Flowers
May–August · green or white
Pruning
cut back by a third (as needed)
Planting
container plant: October–April
Winter protection
not needed
Overwintering
It copes with winter on its own.
It overwinters outdoors without protection, hardy to −40 °C.
- Needs no protection
- Hardy to −40 °C
- Deciduous — bare in winter
What to combine it with
Same needs, different flowering.
They share the same sun and soil and flower in other months — so the bed flowers for longer.
Frequently asked
Quick answers.
When does Virginia creeper flower?
In May–August; the flowers are green or white.
Does Virginia creeper tolerate shade?
Yes, it tolerates full shade.
How much space does Virginia creeper need?
At maturity 1.5–3.1 m wide and 9.2–15.3 m tall; recommended spacing 150 cm.
Does Virginia creeper survive winter outdoors?
Yes, without protection, hardy to −40 °C.
Toxicity
Where the data comes from
We compared the data in 20 expert sources. Last checked 20 October 2026.
Show sources (20)
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder — Parthenocissus quinquefolia
- NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — Parthenocissus quinquefolia
- Oregon State University Landscape Plants — Parthenocissus quinquefolia
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Parthenocissus quinquefolia
- GBIF Occurrence Search API — Parthenocissus quinquefolia
- Wikidata (CC0) — Parthenocissus quinquefolia
- EASIN (JRC) catalogue API — Parthenocissus quinquefolia: IsEUConcern=false
- EPPO Global Database — Parthenocissus quinquefolia
- Vykonávacie nariadenie Komisie (EÚ) 2016/1141 — zoznam inváznych nepôvodných druhov vzbudzujúcich obavy Únie
- Nariadenie vlády SR č. 449/2019 Z. z., príloha č. 1 — zoznam inváznych nepôvodných druhov rastlín vzbudzujúcich obavy SR
- Pergl et al. 2016 — Black
- BfN-Skripten 352 — Naturschutzfachliche Invasivitätsbewertung gebietsfremder Gefäßpflanzen
- Rozporządzenie Rady Ministrów, Dz.U. 2022 poz. 2649 — lista inwazyjnych gatunków obcych
- Miljøstyrelsen — Invasive plantearter i Danmark
- RHS - Parthenocissus quinquefolia
- RHS - Climbers and wall shrubs: pruning
- University of Maryland Extension - Vines for Maryland Gardens
- RHS - Trees and shrubs: planting
- Clemson HGIC - Planting Trees Correctly
- BfR / GIZ — Liste giftiger Pflanzenarten
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