It prefers partial shade but can tolerate full sun if the soil stays consistently moist.

Can I grow it in a pot?

Yes, it grows well in containers if you provide acidic, well-draining soil.

Plant guide

Salal.

Gaultheria shallon

Pronounced gawl-THEER-ee-uh SHAL-lon

Also known as Shallon, salal, shallal

Salal is a hardy, evergreen shrub native to the Pacific Northwest. It produces lovely white, bell shaped flowers followed by dark, edible berries. You will find it thrives in cool, moist, and shaded woodland settings.

Another photo of Salal — Photo by Susan Marley (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Evergreen shrub
Light: Partial shade to full shade
Indoor light: Medium light
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 3 to 10 feet
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 6 to 9
Bloom time: Late spring to early summer

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy to mimic its natural forest floor habitat. Watch for yellowing leaves, which often signal that the soil has dried out too much or lacks acidity. Provide a layer of organic mulch to help retain moisture and keep the roots cool.

Watering: Water deeply whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Feeding: Apply an acidic fertilizer once in early spring to support healthy growth.
Pruning: Trim back any dead or crossing branches in late winter to maintain shape.
Repotting: Repot only if the plant becomes rootbound, as it prefers to stay settled.
Soil: Acidic, well draining, organic rich soil
Soil pH: 4.5 to 6.0
Temperature: -15 to 30°C
Humidity: 60 to 90%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 10 to 20 years.
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes
Water running straight through the pot without soaking in

Safety

People: The plant is not considered toxic to humans.
Children: The berries are safe, but keep an eye on small children to ensure they do not consume other parts of the plant.
Contact allergens: Some individuals may experience mild skin irritation from handling the foliage.
Airborne allergens: The pollen is not typically a significant allergen.
Edibility: Always verify identification before consuming wild berries, as some lookalikes can be harmful.

How to identify it

Leathery, egg shaped evergreen leaves
Small, white, urn shaped flowers
Dark purple, edible berries
Stiff, woody, spreading stems

Height: 0.3 to 1.5m
Spread: 0.6 to 2m
Leaves: dark green, bronze, evergreen
Flowers: white, pink, 0.5 to 1cm
Fruit: dark purple, black, Late summer to autumn

Problems to watch for

Leaf spot · Fungal spots appear on leaves during periods of high humidity and poor air circulation.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

Check your salal from a photo

Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your plant and tells you what's wrong and what to try first.

Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, division, seed
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: It is evergreen and requires no special protection in its hardiness range. Ensure the soil does not dry out completely during dry winter spells.
In containers: It grows well in containers at least 30 centimeters wide, provided you use an acidic potting mix.

Stem Cuttings

Take a 10 centimeter cutting from new growth in late summer.
Remove the lower leaves and dip the end in rooting hormone.
Place in a moist, sandy potting mix and keep in a shaded spot until rooted.

Group this plant with other acid-loving woodland species to ensure they all thrive in the same soil conditions.

Grows well with

Western Sword Fern · They share similar woodland habitat requirements and look beautiful together.
Red Huckleberry · Both thrive in acidic, forest-floor conditions.

Similar species

Creeping Snowberry · A smaller, creeping relative that also prefers moist, acidic environments.

Science

Family: Ericaceae
Genus: Gaultheria
Order: Ericales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Western North America, from Alaska to California.
Conservation: This plant is abundant in its native range and is not of conservation concern.

It forms dense thickets in forest understories, helping to stabilize soil and provide habitat for forest creatures.

Value to wildlife: nectar source, provides cover for small birds, fruit for songbirds
Pollinators: bees, butterflies, hummingbirds
Uses: groundcover, edible landscaping, wildlife garden, floral arrangements

Through the year

JFMAMJJASOND

Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 3/9
Light: 3/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 6/9
Nutrients: 3/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need sun?: It prefers partial shade but can tolerate full sun if the soil stays consistently moist.
Can I grow it in a pot?: Yes, it grows well in containers if you provide acidic, well-draining soil.

Where the name comes from

The genus name honors Jean-François Gaultier, a French physician and botanist, while the species name comes from the plant's Indigenous Chinookan name, which is also the source of the common name salal.

Good to know

Salal is the common name for this plant.
It is a member of the heath family, related to blueberries and cranberries.
The leaves are often used by florists as a long-lasting greenery filler.
It thrives in the acidic soils of coniferous forests.

Also in

Plants for shade

Keep your salal growing

This page is a general guide. Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked.

Get the app

This guide was generated with AI on October 19, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.