Akebia quinata

Akebia quinata, commonly known as chocolate vine or five-leaf akebia, is a vine that is native to Japan, China and Korea. Chocolate vine quickly grows to 30 ft or more in length and is semi-deciduous, losing its leaves only in areas where temperatures reliably fall below 15 degrees. This plant’s namesake comes from the chocolate-scented, pendulous flowers which occur in spring.

Flowers eventually yield an edible fruit which has the unique character of splitting open when ripe along a seam, revealing the sweet gelatinous pulp and seeds. While we can’t attest to the flavor, supposedly the skin of the fruit is also eaten as a vegetable in Japan, included in fried dishes. Note that Akebia vines are not self-fruitful and require a pollinator, but are cross compatible with other Akebia species including Akebia pentaphylla and Akebia trifoliata.

Cold hardy to USDA zone 6a and above, or to 0 degrees Fahrenheit.

We cannot ship this plant to Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, or Wisconsin.