Chinese wisteria Wisteria sinensis
Chinese wisteria (Wisteria sinensis) is a deciduous perennial shrub in the Fabaceae family, native to China. It grows 6–12 m (20–39 ft) tall and 4–8 m (13–26 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -29 °C (-20 °F). Space plants about 4 m (13 ft) apart.
Plan Chinese wisteria in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Chinese wisteria at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Fabaceae |
| Mature height | 6–12 m (20–39 ft) |
| Mature spread | 4–8 m (13–26 ft) |
| Spacing | 4 m (13 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 6–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -29 °C (-20 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 35 °C (95 °F) |
| Flowering | from about April for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | China |
| Common in gardens of | 🇨🇳 China, 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇮🇹 Italy |
| Invasive in | US (south-eastern and mid-Atlantic states), Australia (environmental weed): check local rules before planting |
Is Chinese wisteria toxic?
- People: moderately toxic
- Cats: moderately toxic
- Dogs: moderately toxic
- Parts: seeds, pods, all parts
Lectin (wisterin) and glycosides in the seeds and pods cause vomiting and diarrhoea; a few seeds can poison a child.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Chinese wisteria
Good neighbours
- good With Sweet corn: "Three sisters": climbing beans use corn as a support and fix nitrogen; the benefit to the corn is modest but real in low-input soils. Evidence C
Keep apart or take care
- caution With Alliums (onion family): Onions, garlic and leeks are said to stunt beans and peas (allium root exudates may reduce nodulation). Traditional companion-planting advice; controlled trials are few, so treat it as a soft preference. Evidence D
- caution With Alliums (onion family): Beans and peas are traditionally kept away from onions, garlic and leeks. Traditional companion-planting advice; controlled trials are few, so treat it as a soft preference. Evidence D
- caution With Fennel: Fennel is reported to suppress beans and peas growing next to it. Evidence C
Questions about Chinese wisteria
- How far apart should I plant Chinese wisteria?
- About 4 m (13 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 4–8 m (13–26 ft).
- Does Chinese wisteria need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Chinese wisteria need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Chinese wisteria?
- It tolerates about -29 °C (-20 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.
- When does Chinese wisteria flower?
- From about April for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Chinese wisteria poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is moderately toxic; for dogs moderately toxic; for people moderately toxic. Lectin (wisterin) and glycosides in the seeds and pods cause vomiting and diarrhoea; a few seeds can poison a child.
- What grows well with Chinese wisteria?
- "Three sisters": climbing beans use corn as a support and fix nitrogen; the benefit to the corn is modest but real in low-input soils.
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- CABI Invasive Species Compendium, CABI
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-form values; cultivars and local conditions differ.
- Seed-raised plants may take 10 to 20 years to flower; grafted plants 3 to 5. Needs strong support and twice-yearly pruning. Nitrogen fixation is reported for Wisteria and is an estimate.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Bush bean Phaseolus vulgaris
- Garden pea Pisum sativum
- Sweet pea Lathyrus odoratus
- Runner bean Phaseolus coccineus
- Broad bean (fava) Vicia faba
- Lima bean Phaseolus lunatus
- Cowpea (black-eyed pea) Vigna unguiculata
- Yardlong bean Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis