• Status in Florida: Native
• Size at Maturity: Typically grows 3 to 6 feet tall and wide, but can reach up to 9 feet under optimal conditions.
• Phenology: Deciduous shrub with arching branches, opposite leaves, and clusters of small, purple berries that persist into fall.
• Life Cycle: Perennial
• Bloom Season: Summer
• Deciduous, Dioecious, Evergreen: Deciduous
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil Texture: Moist, well-drained soils; tolerant of sandy or loamy soils
• Soil pH: Tolerant of a wide range, but prefers slightly acidic to neutral (pH 5.5-6.5)
• Moisture Requirements: Prefers consistently moist soil, but can tolerate occasional dry periods once established
• Tolerance to Salt Spray: Low tolerance
• Recommended Landscape Uses: Native plant gardens, woodland gardens, naturalized areas
• Maintenance Tips: Low maintenance; prune as needed to maintain shape and remove dead or damaged branches; may benefit from annual pruning to encourage vigorous growth and fruit production
• Considerations: Beautyberry can spread by suckering and may form thickets in favorable conditions; berries may attract wildlife such as birds, which can be desirable or undesirable depending on preferences.
• Deer and/or Rabbit Resistance: Moderately resistant; typically not preferred by deer or rabbits
• Edible: Berries are edible and can be used to make jelly or wine, but they are astringent and may require sweetening.
• Medicinal Uses: Traditionally used in herbal medicine for various purposes, including as a treatment for fevers and dysentery, but use caution as some parts of the plant may have toxic properties.
• Toxicity to Pets: Not known to be toxic to pets, but ingestion of large quantities of plant material may cause gastrointestinal upset.
• Florida Native Companion Plant: Wax Myrtle (Myrica cerifera), Yaupon Holly (Ilex vomitoria)
• Wildlife Benefit: Attracts pollinators such as bees and butterflies; provides habitat and food for various insects and birds. Larval host for for spring azure butterflies and snowberry clearwing moths.
