Muscadine Plant Care
Vitis rotundifolia Michx.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Vitis rotundifolia, or muscadine, is a grapevine species native to the southeastern and south-central United States. The growth range extends from Florida to New Jersey coast, and west to eastern Texas and Oklahoma.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–85°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Muscadine?
Water Muscadine 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 Muscadine Native To?
What Is the Muscadine?
Muscadine (Vitis rotundifolia) belongs to the Vitaceae family within the Vitis genus. Muscadine is native to the southeastern and south-central United States. Muscadine is also known as Scuppernong.
Muscadine displays a vining, climbing shrub growth habit, reaching up to 20 ft tall with a spread of approximately 10 ft. Muscadine produces small greenish flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Muscadine?
Vitis rotundifolia 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 Muscadine Need?
Muscadine thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Muscadine Prefer?
Vitis rotundifolia grows best at temperatures of 50–85°F. Muscadine prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–85°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Muscadine?
Well-draining loamy soil with good organic content. Good drainage is essential for Muscadine to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Muscadine?
Feed Muscadine 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 Muscadine?
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 Muscadine?
Muscadine can be propagated through cuttings, grafting, layering. Similar propagation techniques also apply to grape vine plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Muscadine Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Muscadine, 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 Muscadine?
Muscadine 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 Muscadine Need?
Muscadine grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Muscadine is native to the southeastern and south-central United States. In cooler regions, grow Muscadine as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Muscadine 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.
Muscadine 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 rotundifolia Michx., family Vitaceae (first published in Fl. Bor.-Amer. 2: 231 (1803)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Muscadine, 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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