[4][5] These racemes burst into clustered white, pink, violet, or blue flowers in early- to mid-spring.

It will also flower only after passing from juvenile to adult stage, a transition that may take many years just like its cousin Chinese wisteria.

Japanese wisteria can grow over 30 metres (98 ft) long over many supports via powerful clockwise-twining stems.

It also bears poisonous, brown, velvety, bean-like seed pods 5–10 centimetres (2.0–3.9 in) long that mature in summer and persist until winter.

Japanese wisteria prefers moist soils and full sun in USDA plant hardiness zones 5–9.