Is autumn olive invasive?

Yes, it is highly invasive in many regions and can outcompete native vegetation.

Does it need a pollinator?

It is self fertile but produces more fruit when multiple plants are present.

Plant guide

Japanese silverberry.

Elaeagnus umbellata

Pronounced el-ee-AG-nus um-bel-LAY-tuh

Also known as Autumn Elaeagnus, Autumn Oleaster, Autumn Olive, Autumn berry, Japanese silverberry, Oleaster, Spreading Oleaster, autumn-olive

The Japanese silverberry is a hardy, deciduous shrub known for its silvery foliage and edible red berries. It is quite adaptable to various soil conditions and often used for erosion control or as a windbreak. You will find it produces fragrant, creamy flowers in the spring.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Deciduous shrub
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 12 to 18 feet
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 3 to 9
Bloom time: Mid to late spring

Care

Plant this shrub in a spot with plenty of sun to encourage the best fruit production. Keep an eye out for signs of drought stress during the first year, though it is quite tough once established. It is a vigorous grower, so be prepared to manage its size if space is limited.

Watering: Water deeply during dry spells while the plant is young to help it settle in.
Feeding: A light application of balanced fertilizer in early spring is usually plenty.
Pruning: Prune in late winter to maintain shape or remove dead wood.
Repotting: If growing in a container, move to a larger pot every few years as it grows quickly.
Soil: Well drained, adaptable to poor soils
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: -40 to 35°C
Humidity: 40 to 80%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 20 to 50 years
Fragrance: Strong
Deer and rabbits: High

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of drainage holes
Stunted growth despite regular feeding

Safety

People: The plant is not considered toxic to humans.
Children: The fruit is safe, but the plant can have sharp thorns that may scratch children.
Contact allergens: The foliage may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals due to tiny scales.
Airborne allergens: Pollen may trigger mild allergic reactions in sensitive individuals during the spring.
Edibility: The fruit is edible but can be astringent if not fully ripe.

How to identify it

Silvery scales on leaf undersides
Small red berries with silver dots
Fragrant creamy white flowers
Alternate leaf arrangement
Thorny branches on mature plants

Height: 3 to 5m
Spread: 3 to 5m
Leaves: green, silvery, deciduous
Flowers: creamy white, yellow, 1 to 2cm
Fruit: red, silver-speckled, Late summer to early autumn

Problems to watch for

Verticillium WiltCommon
AphidsUncommon
CankerUncommon
Root RotUncommon
Scale InsectsUncommon
Leaf SpotRare

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed, cuttings
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: It is extremely hardy and requires no special protection during the winter months.
In containers: It is generally too large and aggressive for container gardening.

Seed

1. Collect ripe berries in autumn.
2. Clean the seeds from the pulp.
3. Cold stratify for 3 months.
4. Sow in pots in early spring.

Because it fixes nitrogen, it can act as a nurse plant for nearby shrubs in poor soil.

Grows well with

Eastern Red Cedar · They share similar drought tolerance and thrive in open, sunny conditions.

Similar species

Russian Olive · It is a related species with similar invasive tendencies and silvery foliage.

Science

Family: Elaeagnaceae
Genus: Elaeagnus
Order: Rosales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Eastern Asia
Conservation: It is considered an invasive species in many parts of North America and should be planted with caution.

It thrives in disturbed areas and open fields, often forming dense thickets that shade out other plants.

Value to wildlife: nectar source, provides cover for birds, fruit source for birds
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: wildlife habitat, hedging, erosion control, edible fruit

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 4/9
Soil reaction: 5/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 3/9
Nutrients: 2/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is autumn olive invasive?: Yes, it is highly invasive in many regions and can outcompete native vegetation.
Does it need a pollinator?: It is self fertile but produces more fruit when multiple plants are present.

Where the name comes from

The genus name comes from the Greek words for olive and chaste tree, while the specific epithet refers to the umbel-like clusters of flowers.

Good to know

The fruit contains high levels of lycopene.
It was historically planted for erosion control and wildlife food.
The leaves have a distinct silvery underside.
It can tolerate very poor, dry soils.

Also in

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.