Do I need a male plant?

Yes, you need at least one male plant to pollinate your female plants for berry production.

Can it grow in full sun?

It prefers partial to full shade, as direct sun often scorches the leaves.

Plant guide

Japanese skimmia.

Skimmia japonica

Pronounced SKIM-ee-uh juh-PON-ih-kuh

Also known as Japanese Skimmia

This lovely evergreen shrub brings year round interest to shady spots in your garden. It features glossy leaves and clusters of fragrant flowers that turn into bright red berries. You will love how it brightens up darker corners of your landscape.

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: 5 feet
Growth rate: Slow
Hardiness: USDA 6 to 9
Bloom time: Mid to late spring

Care

Plant this shrub in well draining soil and keep it sheltered from harsh afternoon sun. Watch for yellowing leaves which often signal poor drainage or soil that is too alkaline. It thrives when given consistent moisture and protection from drying winds.

Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged.
Feeding: Apply a balanced acidic fertilizer once in early spring.
Pruning: Lightly prune after flowering if you need to maintain its shape.
Repotting: Repot only when the plant becomes root bound in its container.
Soil: Moist, well-draining, acidic soil
Soil pH: Acidic
Temperature: -15 to 30°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 20 to 30 years.
Fragrance: Strong
Deer and rabbits: High

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of drainage holes
Water running straight through the pot
Stunted growth during the growing season

Safety

People: The berries and leaves contain alkaloids that can cause stomach upset if eaten.
Pets: All parts of this plant are considered toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
Children: Keep berries away from small children as they are toxic if swallowed.
Contact allergens: The leaves can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: The flowers produce a light scent that rarely triggers respiratory issues.
Edibility: All parts of this plant are toxic if ingested.

How to identify it

Glossy dark green leathery leaves
Fragrant white spring flower clusters
Bright red persistent winter berries
Compact rounded evergreen growth habit

Height: 0.9 to 1.5m
Spread: 0.9 to 1.5m
Leaves: dark green, evergreen
Flowers: white, creamy, 0.5 to 1cm
Fruit: bright red, Autumn to winter

Problems to watch for

Spider mites · Tiny pests that cause stippling on leaves during hot, dry weather.
Chlorosis · Yellowing of leaves often caused by high soil pH or iron deficiency.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, seed
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: Ensure the soil remains moist but not waterlogged during winter. Mulch around the base to protect roots from extreme temperature fluctuations.
In containers: It grows beautifully in containers, provided you use a large pot with well draining, acidic potting mix.

Semi-hardwood cuttings

Take 10cm cuttings in late summer.
Remove lower leaves and dip the end in rooting hormone.
Place in a pot with moist, sandy soil.
Cover with a plastic bag to maintain humidity.
Keep in a bright, shaded spot until rooted.

Pair with other acid loving plants to ensure they all thrive in the same soil conditions.

Grows well with

Hosta · They share similar shade and moisture requirements.
Japanese Maple · It provides the perfect dappled shade canopy for the shrub.
Ferns · They create a beautiful textural contrast in woodland settings.

Similar species

Sarcococca · Another shade loving evergreen with fragrant flowers.

Science

Family: Rutaceae
Genus: Skimmia
Order: Sapindales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Japan, China, and Southeast Asia.
Conservation: Not currently of conservation concern.

It thrives in the understory of forests where it benefits from dappled light and moist, acidic soil.

Value to wildlife: nectar source, winter food for birds
Pollinators: bees
Uses: ornamental shrub, container plant, shade garden, winter interest

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 4/9
Light: 3/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 6/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Do I need a male plant?: Yes, you need at least one male plant to pollinate your female plants for berry production.
Can it grow in full sun?: It prefers partial to full shade, as direct sun often scorches the leaves.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Skimmia is derived from the Japanese name for the plant, while japonica indicates its origin in Japan.

Good to know

The name Skimmia comes from the Japanese word 'shikimi'.
It is a slow growing shrub that stays compact for years.
The berries can persist on the plant throughout the entire winter.

Also in

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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.

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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.