false virginia creeper vs virginia creeper

False Virginia Creeper vs Virginia Creeper: How to Tell These Common Vines Apart

Virginia creeper and false Virginia creeper are two climbing vines that are frequently confused with each other. Though they share some similar characteristics there are key differences between these two plants that can help you easily distinguish between them. In this detailed guide we’ll go over the major differences between false Virginia creeper and Virginia creeper to help you confidently identify them in your landscape.

An Overview of False Virginia Creeper and Virginia Creeper

Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) and false Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus inserta) are both woody vines that die back every year and are native to North America. Gardeners love them because they can quickly cover fences, walls, arbors, and other structures with lots of plants.

Both vines’ leaves turn beautiful shades of red and burgundy in the fall, adding a splash of color to the garden. But this is where the similarities end. There are some differences between them in how they grow, the shape of their leaves, flowers, stems, and tendrils that grow from them.

Leaves: The Most Noticeable Difference

The easiest way to distinguish between false Virginia creeper and Virginia creeper is by looking closely at the leaves and leaflets.

Virginia Creeper Leaves:

• Leaves are compound with 5 leaflets arranged palmately
• Leaflets are oval or egg-shaped with coarse, blunt teeth along the margins
• Leaves are a dull green above with fine hairs along the veins below (pubescent)
• Leaf stalks are hairy

False Virginia Creeper Leaves:

• Leaves are compound with just 3 leaflets
• Leaflets are more triangular in shape with sharp, fine teeth along the edges
• Leaves are shiny green and completely hairless on the underside (glabrous)
• Leaf stalks are smooth and hairless

Flowers and Fruits

The flowers and fruits can also be used to tell apart these two vine species, though the differences are more subtle than the leaf characteristics.

Virginia Creeper Flowers and Fruits:

• Flowers are greenish-white borne in loose, open panicles on a central stalk
• Petals are not strongly bent backwards (reflexed)
• Fruits are bluish berries clustered on red stalks

False Virginia Creeper Flowers and Fruits:

• Flowers are greenish-yellow in compact cymes without a clear central stalk
• Petals are strongly reflexed backwards
• Fruits are bluish berries in branched, dichotomous clusters on greenish stalks

Stems and Tendrils

Another good way to tell the difference between Virginia creeper and false Virginia creeper is to look at the stems and climbing tendrils.

Virginia Creeper Stems and Tendrils:

• Stems are light brown and do not peel or shred
• Tendrils are highly divided into 5-8 branches and tipped with adhesive discs

False Virginia Creeper Stems and Tendrils:

• Stems are reddish-brown and peel in thin papery strips
• Tendrils less divided (3-5 branches) and completely lack adhesive discs at the tips

Growth Habits and Requirements

When it comes to how fast they grow and what kind of conditions they need, these two species are slightly different:

• Virginia creeper grows very rapidly and vigorously

• Tolerates a wide range of soils, moisture levels, and light conditions

• Can cling directly to surfaces using its sticky tendril discs

• Winter hardy to USDA zone 3

• False Virginia creeper grows a bit more slowly

• Prefers consistently moist, humus-rich soils

• Needs a trellis for support since it lacks adhesive tendrils

• Winter hardy to USDA zone 5

A Quick Identification Guide

Here is a quick cheat sheet covering some of the main identification points:

Virginia Creeper:

• 5 leaflets per leaf
• Coarse, blunt leaf teeth
• Dull green pubescent leaves
• Hairy leafstalks
• Light brown non-peeling stems
• Highly divided tendrils with adhesive discs

False Virginia Creeper:

• 3 leaflets per leaf
• Finer, sharper leaf teeth
• Glossy green glabrous leaves
• Smooth leafstalks
• Reddish peeling stems
• Less divided tendrils without discs

Controlling These Vines in Your Landscape

While both vines provide great seasonal interest, their vigorous growth can quickly get out of control outside their intended space. Here are some tips for keeping them contained:

• Prune back aggressively in late winter
• Regularly remove root suckers and seedlings
• Cut back any growth expanding into unwanted areas
• Consider planting in containers instead of the ground
• Install plastic or metal vine barrier strips
• Apply mulch/landscape fabric to prevent new shoots
• Replace with less aggressive vines like trumpet creeper or clematis

The Bottom Line

Once you understand the key differences, you can confidently incorporate one or both vines in your landscape. Their rapid growth, seasonal foliage, and ability to cover large areas makes them perfect for gardens, fences, arbors, and more. Just be sure to properly identify your vine and stay on top of pruning and management. With some care, both false Virginia creeper and Virginia creeper can be beautiful additions to gardens across many hardiness zones.