How to Grow and Care for Kudzu

Although it does have many uses, the kudzu is mostly known as a problematic weed that has the ability to quickly overtake other species and crowd them out. Kudzu can be used for food for both animals and humans, although this is more common in certain cultures than others. If bees lack other food sources, they will use kudzu as a food source, which creates a runny, purple honey.

Tropical kudzu is a versatile legume vine that grows well in hot and humid environments. It helps control soil erosion and enriches soil with nitrogen.

Kudzu was naturalized in the United States for erosion control and animal feed--only to grow out of control immediately and eventually become what is known locally as "the scourge of the South." Growing as fast as multiple inches a day, this beautiful, but destructive vine is incredibly tough, almost impossible to eradicate, and kills other plants by covering them and blocking sunlight.