Is wineberry invasive?

Yes, it is considered invasive in many regions because it outcompetes native plants.

Remove the canes that have already fruited in late summer to encourage new growth.

Plant guide

Wineberry.

Rubus phoenicolasius

Pronounced ROO-bus fee-nik-oh-LAY-see-us

Also known as Hairy Bramble, Japanese Wineberry, Purple-leaf Blackberry, Wine Raspberry, Wine Raspberry, Wineberry, Wineberry

Rubus phoenicolasius — Photo by Chris Stahl (CC BY) via gbif

The wineberry is a charming bramble that produces delicious, tart red fruits in the summer. It is known for its distinctive reddish, hairy canes that add a unique texture to the garden. You will love how easily it spreads, though it can be quite vigorous if left unchecked.

Another photo of Wineberry — Photo by Douglas Goldman (CC BY-SA) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Deciduous shrub
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 5 to 10 days
Mature size: 6 to 9 feet tall
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 5 to 9
Bloom time: Late spring to early summer

Care

Plant this shrub in a sunny spot with well draining soil to encourage the best fruit production. Keep an eye on the canes, as they can root wherever they touch the ground. Prune away old canes that have already fruited to keep the plant tidy.

Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy during the growing season.
Feeding: Apply a balanced organic fertilizer in early spring as new growth begins.
Pruning: Cut back canes that have finished fruiting in late summer or autumn.
Repotting: If growing in a container, move to a larger pot every few years to accommodate the root system.
Soil: Loamy, moist, well drained
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.0
Temperature: -25 to 35°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of drainage holes.
Stunted growth despite regular feeding.
Soil drying out very quickly.

Safety

People: The plant is not toxic, but the stems are covered in sharp, glandular prickles that can cause skin irritation.
Children: The stems are covered in sharp prickles that can scratch children, so keep them away from play areas.
Contact allergens: The glandular hairs on the stems can cause mechanical irritation to sensitive skin.
Airborne allergens: Pollen may cause mild reactions in sensitive individuals during the flowering season.
Edibility: Wash fruit thoroughly to remove any debris or potential contaminants from the sticky hairs.

How to identify it

Reddish stems covered in fine hairs
Compound leaves with three leaflets
Bright red, edible berry clusters
White flowers with reddish sepals

Height: 1.5 to 3m
Spread: 1.5 to 3m
Leaves: green, deciduous
Flowers: white, pink, 1 to 2cm
Fruit: red, Summer

Problems to watch for

AphidsCommon
Raspberry BeetleCommon
Raspberry Cane BlightCommon
Gray MoldUncommon
Powdery MildewUncommon
RustUncommon
Spider MitesUncommon
Root RotRare

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed, cuttings, division
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: Cut back old fruiting canes to the ground in late autumn. Mulch around the base to protect roots from extreme temperature fluctuations.
In containers: It is not recommended for containers due to its vigorous, sprawling nature and sharp prickles.

Tip Layering

1. Bend a healthy cane tip to the ground in late summer.
2. Bury the tip in a few inches of soil.
3. Wait for roots to form at the tip.
4. Sever the new plant from the parent in spring.
5. Transplant to a new location.

Plant in areas where you can easily contain its spread, as it roots wherever canes touch the ground.

Grows well with

Serviceberry · They share similar soil requirements and provide layered habitat.
Wild Bergamot · It attracts pollinators that help with fruit set.

Similar species

Black Raspberry · It has a similar growth habit but produces black fruit.
Red Raspberry · It is a close relative with similar cultural needs.

Science

Family: Rosaceae
Genus: Rubus
Order: Rosales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Eastern Asia
Conservation: This species is considered invasive in many parts of North America and should be managed carefully.

It thrives in forest edges and disturbed areas where it can climb over other vegetation to reach sunlight.

Value to wildlife: nectar source, provides shelter for birds
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: culinary fruit, wildlife habitat, hedgerows

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 5/9
Light: 6/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 5/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is wineberry invasive?: Yes, it is considered invasive in many regions because it outcompetes native plants.
How do I prune it?: Remove the canes that have already fruited in late summer to encourage new growth.

Where the name comes from

The species name phoenicolasius comes from Greek words meaning purple-red and hairy, referring to the stems.

Good to know

The fruit is often called wineberry because of its deep red color.
The stems are covered in reddish, glandular hairs that give the plant a fuzzy appearance.
It is a member of the rose family.
The fruit is softer and more delicate than standard raspberries.
It spreads by rooting at the tips of the canes.

Keep your wineberry growing

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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.