Fox Grape Plant Care
Vitis labrusca L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Vitis labrusca, the fox grape, is a species of grapevines belonging to the Vitis genus in the flowering plant family Vitaceae. The vines are native to eastern North America and are the source of many grape cultivars, including Catawba, Concord, Delaware, Isabella, Niagara, and many hybrid grape varieties such as Agawam, Alexander and Onaka.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–85°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Fox Grape?
Water Fox Grape every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–85°F (10–29°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Fox Grape Native To?
What Is the Fox Grape?
Fox Grape (Vitis labrusca) belongs to the Vitaceae family within the Vitis genus. Fox Grape is native to eastern North America and are the source of many grape cultivars, including Catawba, Concord, Delaware, Isabella, Niagara, and many hybrid grape varieties such as Agawam, Alexander and Onaka. Fox Grape is also known as Cat Grape, Plum-leaf Grape, Skunk Grape.
Fox Grape displays a vining, climbing shrub growth habit, reaching up to 20 ft tall with a spread of approximately 10 ft. Fox Grape produces small greenish flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Fox Grape?
Vitis labrusca requires watering every 7–14 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Fox Grape Need?
Fox Grape thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Fox Grape Prefer?
Vitis labrusca grows best at temperatures of 50–85°F. Fox Grape prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–85°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Fox Grape?
Well-draining loamy soil with good organic content. Good drainage is essential for Fox Grape to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Fox Grape?
Feed Fox Grape every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Fox Grape?
Repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Fox Grape?
Fox Grape can be propagated through cuttings, grafting, layering. Similar propagation techniques also apply to grape vine plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Fox Grape Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Fox Grape, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Fox Grape?
Fox Grape is susceptible to japanese beetles, grape leafhoppers, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Fox Grape Need?
Fox Grape grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Fox Grape is native to eastern North America and are the source of many grape cultivars, including Catawba, Concord, Delaware, Isabella, Niagara, and many hybrid grape varieties such as Agawam, Alexander and Onaka. In cooler regions, grow Fox Grape as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Fox Grape is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Vitis genus — compare its care with other Vitis species on PlantoScan.
Vitis is part of the Vitaceae plant family — browse all Vitaceae genera and species.
Fox Grape thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Vitis Species
Other Vitis species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Vitis labrusca L., family Vitaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. 1: 203. 1753 [1 May 1753]) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Fox Grape, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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