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Parthenocissus quinquefolia

American Ivy · Five-leaf-ivy · Five-leaved Ivy · Virginia Creeper

Family VitaceaeGenus Parthenocissus

A dense curtain of leaves each split into five toothed fingers, turning from green through bronze to dull crimson.
LeafTasjaPublic domain

About the plant

What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.

The plant

Habit
Ground Cover, Perennial, VineExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Habit
lianaPlants of the World Online
Height
30-50 ft9-15 mExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Spread
5-10 ft1.5-3 mExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Flower
Green, WhiteExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Blooms
Spring, SummerExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Native range
Alabama, Arkansas, Bahamas, Bermuda, Connecticut, Cuba and elsewhereGBIF Backbone Taxonomy
Hardiness zones
3-10Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Growing conditions

Sun
Dappled Sunlight; Full sun; Partial ShadeExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil
Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), SandExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Moisture
Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally Dry, Occasionally WetExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Watering
Drought tolerance: HighPLANTS Database

Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.

Sources: Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — NC State Extension; Plants of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Global Biodiversity Information Facility; PLANTS Database — USDA NRCS.

Worth knowing

This source reports two treatments. Both are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around September 24, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on September 23, 2026.

  1. Clean the flesh off the seed

  2. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  3. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  4. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

about 6 months from start to step 4. Germination happens during step 4, in 14 days.

13% germination in 14 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Parthenocissus p. 187Public domain
Show the original text
Parthenocissus (Vitaceae). P. quinquifolia seed was collected in October. After WC the 25% empty seed coats float and were discarded. Fresh seed germ. 70-40-70(3/23 in 2nd w) and 40- 70(2/28 in 1-4 w)-40-70. The berries hang on all winter showing that DS is tolerated.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Parthenocissus p. 187. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 2

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Very high Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around December 8, 2026 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Clean the flesh off the seed

  2. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  3. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  4. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  5. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

Steps after step 3 run on after germination.

about 3 months from start to step 3. Germination happens during step 3, in 28 days.

7% germination in 7–28 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Parthenocissus p. 187Public domain
Show the original text
Parthenocissus (Vitaceae). P. quinquifolia seed was collected in October. After WC the 25% empty seed coats float and were discarded. Fresh seed germ. 70-40-70(3/23 in 2nd w) and 40- 70(2/28 in 1-4 w)-40-70. The berries hang on all winter showing that DS is tolerated.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Parthenocissus p. 187. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

How each step is done, in Deno’s words, and what Verified and Derived mean.

Germination trials

Readers’ own records of sowing this species, published after review. Share your trial · All trials

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