Plant Profile

American Bittersweet - (Celastrus scandens) is a rapidly growing twining vine in the Celastraceae (bittersweet) family, native much of the Upper Midwest and East Coast. It is best known for its bright red berries and yellow leaves in the fall. The fruit is also used for dried arrangements in late fall/winter.  

The best fruit displays will occur in the full sun, although it grows well in partial shade. It will grow in a wide variety of soils as long as they are not overly wet. Prune the vines back in the early spring to maintain a more compact form. The stems twine around structures or trees and because they are woody they are sometimes known to strangle live supports like trees but they do not often kill their support. If the vine is growing without anything to climb, it will sprawl along the ground appearing more shrublike.

Birds are fond of showy red fruits and they provide a food source through the winter as well as attractive interest in the landscape. The leaves turn an attractive yellow color in the fall.  The cut stems with fruits dry beautifully and make lovely arrangements. Plant this large vine along woodland edges, in meadows or use it as a screen giving it a sturdy trellis to climb.

This species might be confused with the invasive Asian bittersweet (Celastrus orbicularis), but the invasive species has leaves that are rounded at the tip. The tips of the leaves of the native climbing bittersweet taper to a point.

American Bittersweet is primarily dioecious (separate male and female plants), although some have a few perfect flowers. Female plants need a male pollinator to produce the attractive fruit that is the signature of this vine. Generally, one male plant is needed for six to nine female plants.