Is this plant safe for my garden?

It is generally discouraged due to its toxicity and invasive nature in many regions.

Can I eat the berries?

No, the berries are poisonous and should never be consumed.

Plant guide

Bittersweet nightshade.

Solanum dulcamara

Pronounced so-LAY-num dul-ka-MAR-ah

Also known as Bitter Nightshade, Bittersweet, Bittersweet Nightshade, Bittersweet, Woody Nightshade, Blue Nightshade, Climbing Nightshade, Dulcamara, European Bittersweet

bittersweet nightshade — Photo by moxostoma (CC BY) via iNaturalist

This woody vine is a common sight in wetlands and hedgerows across many temperate regions. It is known for its distinct star shaped purple flowers and bright red berries. Please be careful as this plant is considered an invasive weed in many areas.

Another photo of bittersweet nightshade — Photo by Piermario Maculan (CC0) via gbif

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Perennial vine
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 8 feet
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 4 to 8
Bloom time: Late spring to early autumn

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist for best results. Watch for yellowing leaves which often signal poor drainage. It is a vigorous grower so keep an eye on its spread.

Watering: Keep the soil damp but not waterlogged.
Feeding: Use a balanced liquid fertilizer during the growing season.
Pruning: Trim back in late winter to manage its size.
Repotting: Move to a larger container once the roots fill the current pot.
Soil: Moist, fertile soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: -25 to 30°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%

Safety

People: The plant contains solanine and other alkaloids that are poisonous to humans and pets.
Pets: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
Children: The bright red berries are highly attractive to children and pose a severe poisoning risk if eaten.
Contact allergens: Handling the stems or leaves may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: There is no significant evidence of airborne pollen allergies for this species.
Edibility: All parts of this plant are toxic if ingested and can cause severe gastrointestinal distress.

How to identify it

Star shaped purple flowers
Bright red oval berries
Heart shaped leaves at base
Woody climbing stems

Height: 1 to 3m
Spread: 1 to 2m
Leaves: green, deciduous
Flowers: purple, yellow, 1 to 2cm
Fruit: red, Autumn

Problems to watch for

By symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed, cuttings, division
When to plant: spring, autumn

Because this plant can become invasive, it is best to avoid planting it near native ecosystems where it might outcompete local flora.

Grows well with

Common Nettle · They often share similar damp, nutrient rich habitats in the wild.

Similar species

Black Nightshade · It is a related nightshade species with similar growth habits.

Science

Family: Solanaceae
Genus: Solanum
Order: Solanales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Europe and Asia
Conservation: It is considered an invasive weed in many parts of North America and is not of conservation concern.

It thrives in damp, disturbed habitats like hedgerows and riverbanks where it can scramble over other vegetation.

Value to wildlife: pollen source, bird food
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: ornamental vine, wildlife habitat

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 6/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 7/9
Nutrients: 6/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is this plant safe for my garden?: It is generally discouraged due to its toxicity and invasive nature in many regions.
Can I eat the berries?: No, the berries are poisonous and should never be consumed.

Where the name comes from

The name Solanum comes from the Latin for quiet or soothing, while dulcamara is a combination of dulcis (sweet) and amarus (bitter).

Good to know

The name bittersweet refers to the taste of the roots, which are said to be bitter at first and then sweet.
It is a member of the nightshade family, related to tomatoes and potatoes.
The plant was historically used in folk medicine, though its toxicity makes this extremely dangerous.

Also in

Plants toxic to cats and dogs

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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.