Chocolate vine or five-leaf akebia (Akebia quinata) - in pot
The chocolate vine, also known as the chocolate-scented vine or five-leaf akebia, is an elegant and fast-growing climbing plant with a unique exotic character. In the spring, clusters of deep purple to chocolate-brown flowers appear with a warm vanilla and chocolate fragrance. This distinctive scent attracts numerous insects and makes the plant a true eye-catcher in the garden or on a pergola.
After flowering, in warm summers, striking purplish-grey fruits may form that split open when ripe. The inner pulp is sweet and jelly-like and can be eaten fresh. The taste is reminiscent of subtle coconut or melon aromas. The skin is traditionally edible after preparation (e.g., stir-frying), but is primarily appreciated for decorative purposes in Europe.
Akebia quinata is a vigorous climber that can reach a height of 8–10 meters and easily attaches itself to pergolas, fences, and walls. The decorative, five-lobed foliage remains green in mild winters. The plant is robust, undemanding, and grows in both sun and shade, although it produces the richest blooms in the sun.
The chocolate vine produces fruit when two genetically different plants are planted together.
Key features
- Harvest period: September-October
- Taste: mildly sweet (comparable to lychee or passion fruit)
- Location: sun to partial shade
- Height: 8-10 m (climber)
- Planting distance: 1-2 m
- Self-pollinating: no
- Height at delivery: 30-40 cm (excluding pot)
Tips and care:
- Planting: because the plants are supplied in pots, they can be planted all year round. It is preferable to plant them in the autumn, as the soil is still warm and moist, allowing them to establish well in the ground. Plants planted in the autumn have a better-developed root system than those planted in the spring.
- Open ground or pots: you can grow all plants in pots; the larger the pot, the better they will perform. They will always grow better and produce more fruit in open ground.
- Support: it is a climbing plant, so it needs something to climb against.
- Type en soort
- Potted plant
Dispatch
Dispatch
We ship your order within 1-2 business days*. For orders over €75, you'll receive one free shipment. Shipping is available from €3.95. All orders are shipped as a parcel with a track and trace code, so you can track your order at any time. Read more about shipping costs in our FAQ.
Delivery time pre-order
Your order will be shipped from the indicated availability date. This also applies if you combine a pre-order with products already in stock. If you want to receive the in-stock products sooner, select "Multiple deliveries" as the shipping method.
Sjef van Dongen - Fruitzforlife
Sjef van Dongen - Fruitzforlife
In 2020, Sjef and Wilma van Dongen transformed Sjef's uncle's pig farm into an agroforestry nursery . What began as experiments in their garden, Fruithof De Brand , has grown into a unique 6-hectare project where nursery and food forest come together.
Their focus is on the best, disease-resistant, and flavorful varieties —from mulberries, pawpaws, and leaf curl-free peaches to walnuts, chestnuts, and grapes. This creates a collection of plants that are not only beautiful and productive but also contribute to increased biodiversity.
Sjef combines a pragmatic approach with years of experience in the agricultural industry. This allows him to inspire and provide practical guidance to individuals, communities, and farmers alike in planting trees and shrubs. Using innovative techniques like Air-Pot® container cultivation, he also ensures strong planting material ready to grow into healthy, robust trees.
Their mission? To make people healthier and happier by connecting them with an environment full of edible trees and shrubs – a tangible step towards a greener future.
Cultivation method
Cultivation method
At FruitzforLife, they operate their 6-hectare nursery with a clear conviction: pesticides are unnecessary . They grow strong, resilient plants that are in harmony with their environment.
They grow a large portion of their plants themselves. They also collaborate with families and cutting companies in the Netherlands, France, Poland, and Germany who propagate their plants. This creates a network of growers who share the same vision.
Their nursery model allows farmers and families to plant fruit and nut trees for their own use, while simultaneously growing additional trees for sale. This way, they contribute to a greener future and generate additional income in the first few years after planting.
FruitzforLife operates in an environmentally conscious way : from wood fiber as a growing medium (instead of coir), recycled and reusable pots, and solar-powered electric vehicles to machines that run on biodiesel. Their application for Skal certification is also in progress.
Their nursery is located on two former intensive livestock farms. Where chickens, pigs, and cows once stood, trees and shrubs now flourish. Together with the former farmers and a dedicated team, they are building a chain of families committed to sustainability. This is how FruitzforLife is gradually changing the future – with an eye for people, nature, and future generations.
Chocolate vine or false gherkin
Chocolate vine or false gherkin is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
