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Chestnut Vine

Tetrastigma voinierianum (tet-ruh-STIG-muh)

Family: Vitaceae Unknown Vine (vertical)

Previously knows as Vitis voinieriana in honor of M. Voinier, who was a French veterinary surgeon. In 1910, it was added to the genus Tetrastigma by Francois Gagnepain. The Chestnut vine is grown as a common houseplant that does well in a hanging basket. In its native setting, they are found growing in subtropical and tropical regions, primarily, rain-forests. This vigorous vine, that will climb on any available object, does not provide edible grapes. Its is often used to cover a wall. Pruning as needed throughout the season. A location that includes bright, indirect sunlight is ideal. Direct sunlight is discouraged. Under the proper growing conditions, this vine can grow in excess of 12" per month. Growing as a houseplant will rarely produce flowers. If flowers do appear indoors, they will tend to be small and scentless. In addition, a house does not have the humidity that the plant requires to perform as its best. If the humidity is too low, the leaves can droop and the plants appearance can suffer. Temperatures below 50 degrees can also cause the foliage to blacken and die. Yellowing leaves can indicate that the plant needs to be fertilized. Increase frequency of fertilization in lieu of increasing the strength of your solution. The thick fuzzy green leaves are palmately compound. Young stems are hairy. It can be propagated using semi-ripe stem cuttings, ensuring to provide heat, humidity, and well drained soil. When repotting, use a potting soil that provides good drainage, and mix with perlite, small gravel or sand to provide aeration and good drainage. As fall approaches, decrease watering and stop fertilizing. Pruning can be accomplished during the dormant season, fall through mid-February, Avoid pruning once the plant begins actively growing, as this can cause damage to the plant. If necessary, repotting should also be completed during the dormant months. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Watch for red spider mite, mealy bugs, scale insects, aphids and white fly. Allow the soil to become nearly dry before watering, then water thoroughly. Insure proper drainage after watering to prevent root rot. Growing in Hawaii, which provide optimum conditions for this plant will cause it to grow in an invasive manner.

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 53 attributes.

How it fits the guild

Guild layer 6 - Vine (vertical) Optimal soil pH Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
See companions & conflicts ↓

Companions & Conflicts

Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.

No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.

Also noted by NC State

Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.

Fills a similar niche Asparagus setaceus Epiphyllum oxypetalum Strobilanthes auriculata var. dyeriana

Full plant profile

Growing Conditions
Plant type
Ground Cover; Vine
Life cycle
Perennial
USDA zones
8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b, 13a, 13b
Light
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
Soil texture
Loam (Silt)
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
6 - Vine (vertical)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Climbing; Creeping
Texture
Coarse
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf arrangement
Other/more complex
Leaf shape
Obovate
Leaf margin
Crenate; Serrate
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
The thick, dark green, 5-lobed, leaflets are 6-10" long with rusty brown, hairy underside. The underside also has beads of sap that is eaten by ants. They look like small, clear bumps.
Flower color
Green; White
Flower form
Insignificant
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
The small green-white flowers are not of primary importance.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Black
Fruit type
Berry
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Small, black berries are produced after the plant flowers.
Bark color
Dark Brown
Bark detail
The bark will darken to a dark brown as the plant ages.
Stem color
Brown/Copper; Red/Burgundy
Stem detail
New stems are red and become a reddish/brown as they age.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
Vietnam
Wildlife value
Ants eat the sap from this plant.
Play value
Easy to Grow
Food & Medicine
Fruit type
Berry
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Houseplants; Patio; Rock Wall; Slope/Bank; Vertical Spaces
Garden tags
#houseplant #interiorscape #bright light #heat tolerant #container plant #evergreen #tropical #humidity tolerant #vine #creeping #groundcover #trailing #long lived #climber
Problems & Resistance
Insect problems
Mealybugs; Aphids Found on Flowers and Foliage
Propagation
Stem Cutting

Planted at Hunnicutt

Nobody’s planted this one yet.