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Akebia Quinata

About Akebia Quinata

Akebia is a deciduous to semi-evergreen twining woody vine in the Lardizabalaceae family. It is a large vigorous vine growing up to 40 feet with palmately compound leaves. The red-purple blooms appear in early spring with leaves and can be lost in the five parted green foliage similar to plants in the Schefflera genus. The vine tolerates drought, wet sites, deer browsing, erosion and heavy shade.

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Akebia quinata

Genus

Akebia

Family

Lardizabalaceae

Order

Ranunculales

Also known as

Chocolate Vine, Chocolate Vine, Chocolate vine and Five-leaf chocolate vine

How to care for Akebia Quinata

💦 Water

How often to water your Akebia Quinata

Akebia Quinata needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Chocolate Vine in your home

Akebia Quinata love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Akebia Quinata does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Akebia Quinata in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Akebia Quinata

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Akebia Quinata: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Akebia Quinata after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

My two akebi chocolate vines have intertwined. Hoping for some flowers if not fruit! P.S. Why does Greg often say edible plants are toxic? Lemongrass is sold in the grocery; obviously this is non-toxic (just 1 example)

Browse #FiveLeafAkebia

💡 FAQs

⭐ Difficulty Level

Akebia Quinata can be challenging to care for, according to some plant parents. Check out the reviews down below to learn from their experiences!

Benefits of Growing Chocolate Vine →

Common Chocolate Vine Problems →

💦 Water Needs

Akebia Quinata prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Chocolate Vine Water Frequency →

Chocolate Vine Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Akebia Quinata requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Chocolate Vine Light Requirements →

Chocolate Vine Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Greg does not have confirmed data on this plant’s toxicity. If you, a family member, or a pet consumes plant material of unknown toxicity, it’s always best to consult a medical professional.

If you or someone else ingested this plant, call Poison Control at US (800) 222-1222. If a pet consumed this plant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA at US (888) 426-4435.

Chocolate Vine Toxicity to Cats →

Chocolate Vine Toxicity to Dogs →

Chocolate Vine Toxicity to Humans →

🪴 Soil

Akebia Quinata does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!

Best Soil Mix for Chocolate Vine →

When and How to Successfully Repot Chocolate Vine →

💩 Fertilizer

Akebia Quinata is a fast growing plant and may deplete the nutrients in its soil over time. Replenish them with a gentle organic fertilizer or compost every 1-2 months depending on your location and season. Fertilize more often during the growing season and in warmer and brighter climates.

How Much and When to Fertilize Chocolate Vine →

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Akebia Quinata is a naturally climbing plant and can be trained to climb indoors if you provide a moss pole or trellis. The newest growth will emerge from the end of the stems.

How and When to Prune Chocolate Vine →

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Akebia Quinata can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 5a-8b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Chocolate Vine Temperature Tolerance →

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.