Kadsura (Kadsura coccinea "Red") | seeds, 5 pcs.

VERY RARE

• Latin name: Kadsura coccinea "Red"
• Danish names: Kadsura, climbing kadsura (unofficial)
• English names: Kadsura vine, red kadsura

- NOTE: FRESH seeds

Kadsura coccinea is a rare and botanically fascinating climbing plant from the humid forests of Southeast Asia, including China, Vietnam, and Laos. The variant ‘Red’ is the most striking color form and is characterized by its deep red to reddish-brown flowers, which give the plant a warmer and more exotic look than both the ‘Green’ and ‘Purple’ versions.

The plant is evergreen to semi-evergreen and develops long, twining shoots with glossy, leathery leaves. The flowers are unusual in shape, almost magnolia-like, and sit discreetly but effectively among the foliage. After pollination, the characteristic, compound fruits develop, resembling small pinecones and ripening in vibrant red shades. The fruits are known from traditional Asian use and are associated with the concept of “five-flavor fruit”, where the taste is described as complex and layered.

Cultivation and requirements

Kadsura coccinea ‘Red’ thrives best in a bright location with light shade, similar to the forest edge zones. It prefers:

• humus-rich, well-drained, and moisture-retaining soil
• even watering during the growing season
• shelter and stable support in the form of a trellis, pergola, or other climbing aid

The species is not fully hardy. In Denmark, it is best grown as a container plant, which can be kept outdoors during the summer months and overwintered in a bright, frost-free location. The temperature should preferably be kept above 5–8 °C, especially for young plants.

Cultivation from seeds

The seeds are sown in a light, humus-rich, and well-drained soil mix and covered lightly. Soaking them in lukewarm water for 12–24 hours before sowing can improve germination.

Germination occurs best at 20–25 °C and can be uneven and take several weeks. Young plants grow slowly at first and focus on root development before the actual climbing growth takes off. Patience is a natural part of the process.

Utility and collector's value

Kadsura coccinea has a long tradition of use in Asian folk medicine, where especially the fruits and stems are used. The fruits are edible, but the flavor is strong and complex and they are most often used functionally rather than as fresh fruit.

As a plant, Kadsura coccinea ‘Red’ is particularly interesting for collectors of rare climbing plants and exotic fruit plants. It combines decorative flowers, glossy foliage, and very characteristic fruits and is often the most visually striking of the Kadsura variants.

Kadsura coccinea ‘Red’ is an obvious choice for the patient plant enthusiast who wants to grow a rare, tropical climbing plant entirely from seed – with strong colors, botanical depth, and high collector value. 🌿