Is it safe to grow in a home garden?

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

How do I get rid of it?

You must remove the entire root system, as even small fragments left in the soil will resprout.

Plant guide

Silverleaf nightshade.

Solanum elaeagnifolium

Pronounced so-LAY-num el-ee-ag-ni-FO-lee-um

Also known as Bull-nettle, Silverleaf nightshade, White Nightshade, prairie-berry, silverleaf bitter-apple, silverleaf-nettle, tomato weed, tomato-weed

silverleaf nightshade — Photo by José Gerardo Velasco (CC BY-SA) via iNaturalist

This hardy perennial is known for its striking silvery foliage and bright purple flowers. It is a tough plant that thrives in dry, sunny conditions. You will find it is quite resilient once it gets established in your garden.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Perennial shrub
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 3 feet tall
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 6 to 10
Bloom time: Late spring to early autumn

Care

Give this plant plenty of sun and well draining soil to keep it happy. Watch for wilting if the soil stays too wet for too long. It spreads easily through underground stems, so keep an eye on its footprint.

Watering: Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings.
Feeding: Apply a balanced fertilizer sparingly during the growing season.
Pruning: Trim back dead or overgrown stems in late winter to encourage fresh growth.
Repotting: Move to a larger container only if the roots become severely crowded.
Soil: Sandy or rocky soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 8.0
Temperature: -15 to 45°C
Humidity: 10 to 50%

Safety

People: The plant contains solanine and other alkaloids that cause severe gastrointestinal distress if eaten.
Pets: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
Children: Keep children away from this plant because the bright yellow berries are tempting but highly poisonous.
Contact allergens: The stems and leaves are covered in fine, sharp prickles that can cause skin irritation.
Airborne allergens: There is no significant evidence of airborne allergens associated with this species.
Edibility: All parts of this plant are toxic if ingested and should never be consumed.

How to identify it

Silvery gray lance shaped leaves
Small sharp prickles on stems
Star shaped purple or white flowers
Round yellow berries when mature

Height: 0.3 to 1m
Spread: 0.3 to 1.5m
Leaves: silver, gray-green, deciduous
Flowers: violet, blue, white, 2 to 4cm
Fruit: yellow, orange, Autumn

Problems to watch for

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Growing it

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

Because this plant is so aggressive, it is best kept in a controlled area rather than a mixed garden bed.

Grows well with

Desert Marigold · They share similar water requirements and thrive in the same arid conditions.

Similar species

Buffalo Bur · It is another prickly, invasive nightshade with similar growth habits.

Science

Family: Solanaceae
Genus: Solanum
Order: Solanales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Southwestern United States and Northern Mexico.
Conservation: It is considered a noxious weed in many regions and is not of conservation concern.

It survives in harsh, arid environments by utilizing an extensive root system to reach deep moisture.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: xeriscaping, pollinator gardens

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 4/9
Soil reaction: 7/9
Light: 8/9
Temperature: 7/9
Moisture: 2/9
Nutrients: 3/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is it safe to grow in a home garden?: It is generally discouraged due to its invasive nature and toxicity.
How do I get rid of it?: You must remove the entire root system, as even small fragments left in the soil will resprout.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Solanum is Latin for quiet or soothing, while the specific epithet elaeagnifolium refers to the resemblance of its leaves to those of the Elaeagnus genus.

Good to know

It is commonly known as silverleaf nightshade due to the fine hairs on its leaves.
The plant is extremely drought tolerant and thrives in poor, disturbed soils.
It is a member of the Solanaceae family, making it a relative of tomatoes and potatoes.

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.