How to Plant Bittersweet

Bittersweet is a deciduous vine that has fragrant greenish white flowers in late spring. Bittersweet is classified as dioecious, which means that the male and the female flowers are produced on different plants. They are classified as the male and the female bittersweet plants and only the female produces the fruit. The plant must be planted carefully for it to produce the fruits.

Things You'll Need

• Soil test kit
• Spade
• Mulch
• Water
• Fence

Instructions

1. Choose the location to plant the bittersweet. The plant can handle shade, but it requires plenty of sunshine to produce more fruit.

2. Check the soil pH with the pH test kits from the nurseries or the home improvement stores. Bittersweet prefers slight acidic soil with a pH between 6.1 and 7.5.

3. Buy the male and the female bittersweet plant from the nursery if you want the fruits from the plant. If you buy them in fall, they have the fruits and it is easier to differentiate between the male and the female. The plant with the fruit is the female and the plant without the fruit is the male.

4. Remove the plants from the container and trim the leaves that go around the base of the plant. Bittersweet vine tends to wrap around its base. Dig a hole wide enough to fit the root ball of the plant. Place one of the plants in the hole and fill it with dirt.

5. Dig another hole at least 12 to 48 inches away from the other bittersweet. Place the other plant in the hole and fill it with dirt. The male and the female plant should be planted close to each other to promote pollination and help the female plant to produce the fruits.

6. Lay 1 to 2 inches of mulch and water the plants. Fertilization is not required after planting, and do not fertilize in summer as doing so results in fewer blooms.

7. Provide a fence or a trellis next to the plant to avoid it from climbing or wrapping on the other plants in your yard.

References

• Moonshine Designs Nursery

Resources

• Bittersweet Care