Muscadine grape

Vitis rotundifolia

Family: Vitaceae

Pet & Human Safety

People: Not researchedPets: Toxic to pets

Human edibility

Edible

Edible parts

fruit (berries)

Hazardous parts

Not yet checked.

Preparation

Not yet checked.

Hazard type

Not yet checked.

Hazard route

Not yet checked.

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Toxic to pets

Grapes and raisins are toxic to dogs (ASPCA people-foods list). That caution is carried to muscadine because it is the same genus; it is not a finding from a page about this species. Do not treat it as safe for pets.

Look-alike warning

Could be mistaken for Look-alike plants. To tell them apart: Porcelain berry (Ampelopsis glandulosa var. brevipedunculata) and other vines: NC State lists them as plants it is confused with. Muscadine has simple, unbranched tendrils; other native grapes have forked tendrils (NC State)..

Look-alike warning

Could be mistaken for Plants that share its name. To tell them apart: NC State notes it is often confused with Vitis vinifera (wine grape) and with porcelain berry (Ampelopsis glandulosa var. brevipedunculata), a different vine. NC State gives no edibility note for porcelain berry. Muscadine has simple, unbranched tendrils (NC State)..

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

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Care

Hardiness zones: USDA zones 5a through 9b (NC State). UF/IFAS: grows in all parts of Florida. UMD: too cold-sensitive for most of Maryland.
Water needs: NC State: drainage listed as good, moist, occasional flooding, occasionally dry; 'will tolerate seasonal flooding'. UF/IFAS: 'does not tolerate poor drainage'; container-grown vines need sufficient irrigation.
Mature size: Varies with the support it is given (NC State); no fixed height or width stated. NC State lists available space to plant as 3 to 6 feet. Spacing: At least 10 ft (if not 20 ft) between plants and 4 to 10 ft between rows (UF/IFAS, Florida).

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

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