Are the berries poisonous to pets?

Yes, they can cause digestive upset in dogs and cats if eaten.

Does it need pruning?

Pruning in late winter helps maintain shape and encourages denser growth.

Plant guide

Snowberry.

Symphoricarpos albus

Pronounced sim-for-ih-KAR-pos AL-bus

Also known as Common Snowberry

Common Snowberry — Photo by Gavin Slater (CC BY) via iNaturalist

The snowberry is a lovely deciduous shrub known for its clusters of bright white, waxy berries that persist into winter. It is a hardy native plant that provides excellent cover for birds and small wildlife. You will love how its delicate pink flowers transition into those iconic snowy fruits.

Another photo of Snowberry — Photo by Jason Thompson (CC0) via gbif

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: 3 to 6 feet
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 3 to 7
Bloom time: Early to mid summer

Care

Plant this shrub in well draining soil and provide consistent moisture while it gets established. Keep an eye out for powdery mildew on the leaves during humid spells. Prune back older stems occasionally to encourage fresh, vigorous growth.

Watering: Water deeply once a week during the first year, then only during dry spells.
Feeding: Apply a balanced organic fertilizer once in early spring as new growth begins.
Pruning: Trim back dead or crossing branches in late winter while the plant is dormant.
Repotting: If growing in a container, move to a larger pot every few years to refresh the soil.
Soil: Loamy, moist, well drained soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: -40 to 30°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 15 to 25 years
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of drainage holes
Stunted growth during the active season

Safety

People: Ingesting the berries can cause vomiting, dizziness, and stomach upset.
Pets: The berries are considered toxic to cats and dogs if ingested in large quantities.
Children: The berries look like small snacks and should be kept away from small children due to their toxicity.
Contact allergens: Handling the stems or leaves may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: Pollen is generally not considered a significant allergen.
Edibility: The white berries are mildly toxic to humans and should not be consumed.

How to identify it

Opposite, oval shaped green leaves
Small, bell shaped pink flowers
Clusters of round, white waxy berries
Slender, arching woody stems

Height: 0.6 to 1.8m
Spread: 0.9 to 2m
Leaves: green, blue-green, deciduous
Flowers: pink, white, 0.5 to 1cm
Fruit: white, Late summer to winter

Problems to watch for

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, division, seed
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: No special care is needed as it is very cold hardy. You can mulch around the base to protect roots in exposed areas.
In containers: It can grow in large containers, but it prefers being in the ground to spread naturally.

Softwood Cuttings

1. Take 15 cm cuttings in early summer.
2. Remove lower leaves.
3. Dip in rooting hormone.
4. Place in moist potting mix.
5. Keep in bright, indirect light until rooted.

Plant in groups to create a thicket that provides better shelter for birds.

Grows well with

Serviceberry · They share similar native woodland habitats and soil preferences.
Red Osier Dogwood · Both shrubs provide excellent winter interest in naturalistic plantings.

Similar species

Coralberry · A close relative with similar growth habits but red berries.

Science

Family: Caprifoliaceae
Genus: Symphoricarpos
Order: Dipsacales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Northern North America
Conservation: This plant is common and not of conservation concern.

It thrives in forest edges and open woodlands where it spreads via underground rhizomes.

Value to wildlife: nectar source, winter food for birds, nesting cover
Pollinators: bees
Uses: ornamental shrub, erosion control, wildlife garden, hedging

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 5/9
Light: 5/9
Temperature: 4/9
Moisture: 5/9
Nutrients: 4/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Are the berries poisonous to pets?: Yes, they can cause digestive upset in dogs and cats if eaten.
Does it need pruning?: Pruning in late winter helps maintain shape and encourages denser growth.

Where the name comes from

Symphoricarpos comes from Greek words meaning to bear together and fruit, referring to the clustered berries. Albus is Latin for white, describing the fruit color.

Good to know

The berries are often called snowberries because of their bright white color.
Native Americans used the plant for various medicinal purposes.
It is a very tough shrub that tolerates poor soil conditions.
The berries are a favorite food source for many songbirds in late winter.

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.