Stories in Indiana

Kudzu: The Invasive Vine that Ate the South

Kudzu looks innocent enough yet the invasive plant easily overtakes trees, abandoned homes and telephone poles.

A person stands among kudzu vines that have taken over a forest
Kudzu, "scourge of the south" Invasive kudzu © USDA

Kudzu Fast Facts

Scientific name: Pueraria montana
 
Introduction: Brought to U.S. in 1876 as ornamental, spread from 1930s–1950s for erosion control
 
Pace of growth: Up to a foot per day
 
Identification: Semi-woody vine with alternating leaves made of three oval-shaped or lobed leaflets. After 3 years, produces purple or red flowers
 
Edible? Yes. Kudzu leaves, flowers and roots can be eaten. The root should be cooked.

What is kudzu?

Known as “mile-a-minute” and “the vine that ate the South,” this creeping, climbing perennial vine terrorizes native plants all over the southeastern United States and is making its way into the Midwest, Northeast and even Oregon.

Kudzu—or kuzu (クズ)—is native to Japan and southeast China. It was first introduced to the United States during the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition in 1876 where it was touted as a great ornamental plant for its sweet-smelling blooms and sturdy vines.

From the 1930s through the 1950s, the Soil Conservation Service promoted it as a great tool for soil erosion control and was planted in abundance throughout the south. Little did we know that kudzu is quite a killer, overtaking and growing over anything in its path.

Kudzu grows out of control quickly, spreading through runners (stems that root at the tip when in contact with moist soil), rhizomes and by vines that root at the nodes to form new plants.

Once established, kudzu grows at a rate of one foot per day with mature vines as long as 100 feet.

massive bunch of invasive kudzu takes over whole trees and shrubs on hill while a car drives by
Kudzu overtakes a hill Invasive kudzu overtakes trees and shrubs on a hillside in Blount County, Tennessee. The Soil Conservation Service (now USDA's NRCS) planted kudzu across the United States during the 20th century to combat erosion. © Katie Ashdown via Flickr (CC BY 2.0)

What problems does kudzu cause?

An invasive plant as fast-growing as kudzu outcompetes everything from native grasses to fully mature trees by shading them from the sunlight they need to photosynthesize.

Learn more about invasive species

And how you can help control their spread.

Learn more

This loss of native plants harms other plants, insects and animals that adapted alongside them, leading to cascading effects throughout an ecosystem.

Over time, these effects of habitat loss can lead to species extinctions and a loss of overall biodiversity.

How could climate change make kudzu worse?

Climate change puts a lot of stress on native species. Invasive species like kudzu are often more flexible and adaptable to change than many native plants and can outcompete them early in the growing season.

Kudzu thrives in areas with mild winters and hot summers. Climate change may be making it easier for creeping vine to spread, as winters in many areas of the U.S. become milder.

Climate change also can lead to more regional drought, an opportunity for this versatile killer. Kudzu is able to weather dry periods with its deep root systems and then take over where native plants could not survive.

Got questions about climate change?

Our scientists have answers to some of your most frequently asked questions.

Learn more about climate change here

How to get rid of kudzu

It depends how large the patch is. Newer, smaller patches can be controlled with persistent weeding. According to Purdue University, continuous mowing and grazing—both cattle & goats will eat kudzu—will weaken and eventually control the plant.

For larger growths, the vines should be cut near the ground and then carefully treated with one of a variety of herbicides. Indiana's Department of Natural Resources suggests that if herbicides are used to apply in the late summer when the plants are more susceptible to transferring the chemicals into storage organs making it more effective.

The best way to deal with kudzu or other invasive plants is to prevent them from spreading. For more ways to control kudzu, check out Dr. James H. Miller's Kudzu Eradication and Management paper.