Common buckthorn.

At a glance

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Deciduous shrub

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Indoor light

Bright indirect

Water

Every 7 to 14 days

Mature size

20 to 25 feet

Growth rate

Fast

Hardiness

USDA 3 to 7

Bloom time

Late spring to early summer

Care

This plant is incredibly resilient and thrives in almost any soil condition. Keep an eye out for its aggressive spread, as it can quickly crowd out native species. Regular monitoring is essential to prevent it from taking over your garden.

Watering

Water regularly until established, then it becomes quite drought tolerant.

Feeding

It rarely needs extra food, but a balanced fertilizer in spring helps if growth is sluggish.

Pruning

Prune in late winter or early spring to maintain shape and remove dead wood.

Repotting

If kept in a container, move to a larger pot every few years as it grows.

Soil

Well-draining, adaptable to various types

Soil pH

Neutral to slightly alkaline

Temperature

-35 to 30°C

Humidity

40 to 70%

Drought tolerance

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial, typically 20 to 50 years

Deer and rabbits

Moderate

Safety

People

All parts of the plant are considered toxic if ingested, causing severe gastrointestinal distress.

Pets

The berries and foliage are toxic to pets if ingested, causing gastrointestinal distress.

Children

The dark berries are attractive to children but are poisonous and cause severe vomiting if eaten.

Contact allergens

The bark and sap may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Airborne allergens

The pollen can trigger mild allergic reactions in some people.

Edibility

The berries are strongly purgative and should not be consumed by humans.

How to identify it

• Opposite or sub-opposite dark green leaves
• Small, inconspicuous yellow-green flowers
• Thorny, sharp-tipped branch ends
• Small, round, black-ripening berries
• Distinctive curved leaf veins

Height

2 to 6m

Spread

1.5 to 4m

Leaves

dark green, yellow, deciduous

Flowers

greenish yellow, 0.5 to 0.8cm

Fruit

black, Late summer to autumn

Problems to watch for

• Crown rust · A fungal infection that uses the shrub as an alternate host.

Growing it

Propagation

seed, cuttings

When to plant

spring, autumn

Overwintering

No special care is needed as it is fully hardy in its range. It naturally drops its leaves and enters dormancy.

In containers

It is not recommended for containers due to its large size and invasive potential.

Because this plant is invasive, it is best to avoid planting it near native ecosystems.

Similar species

• Glossy buckthorn · It is another invasive shrub with similar growth habits and ecological impact.

Science

Family

Rhamnaceae

Genus

Rhamnus

Order

Rosales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Europe, western Asia, and northwestern Africa.

Conservation

It is not endangered and is often targeted for removal due to its invasive nature.

It thrives in disturbed areas and forest edges, where it quickly forms dense thickets that shade out other plants.

Value to wildlife

nectar source, bird food source

Pollinators

bees

Uses

hedging, wildlife habitat, erosion control

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is it safe to plant in my garden?

It is generally discouraged due to its aggressive, invasive nature.

How do I control it?

Small plants can be pulled, while larger ones often require cutting and stump treatment.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Rhamnus comes from the Greek word for a thorny shrub, while cathartica refers to its historical use as a purgative.

Good to know

• It was introduced to North America as an ornamental hedge.
• The berries are a primary food source for birds, which then spread the seeds.
• It can tolerate a wide variety of soil types and light conditions.

Also in

• Plants toxic to cats and dogs