Are the berries poisonous to dogs?

Yes, they can cause digestive upset in pets if ingested in large quantities.

Does it need pruning?

It benefits from occasional thinning to keep the shrub from becoming too dense.

Plant guide

Snowberry.

Symphoricarpos albus var. albus

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

Also known as Symphoricarpos albus var. albus, Common Snowberry, Thin-leaved Snowberry, Northern Snowberry, Waxberry, White Coralberry

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

Snowberry is a charming deciduous shrub known for its clusters of waxy, white berries that persist into winter. It thrives in various conditions and provides excellent habitat for local birds. This plant is a great choice for naturalizing in woodland gardens or informal hedges.

Another photo of Snowberry — Photo by Patrick Strzalkowski (CC BY) via gbif

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Deciduous shrub
Light: Partial shade to full sun
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 1 to 2 meters
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 3 to 7
Bloom time: Early to mid summer

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but well drained to support healthy growth. Watch for powdery mildew on the leaves during humid spells and prune back old stems to encourage fresh growth. It is a hardy shrub that requires minimal fuss once established.

Watering: Water regularly during the first growing season to establish a deep root system.
Feeding: Apply a balanced organic fertilizer in early spring as new growth begins.
Pruning: Prune in late winter or early spring to remove dead wood and maintain the desired shape.
Repotting: Repot only if the shrub is container grown and has become root bound.
Soil: Well draining, loamy soil
Soil pH: Neutral to slightly acidic
Temperature: -40 to 30°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 20 plus years
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

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

Safety

People: Ingestion of the berries can cause gastrointestinal distress, including vomiting and diarrhea.
Pets: The berries are mildly toxic to cats and dogs if ingested in large quantities.
Children: The berries are attractive to children but pose a risk of stomach upset if eaten.
Contact allergens: The sap may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: There are no significant reports of airborne allergens associated with this shrub.
Edibility: The berries are considered mildly toxic to humans and should not be consumed.

How to identify it

Small, oval, opposite leaves
Tiny, bell shaped pink flowers
Clusters of round, white 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

AphidsCommon
Powdery MildewCommon
Leaf SpotUncommon
Root RotUncommon

By symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, division, seed
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: No special winter care is required as it is fully hardy. You can prune out dead or damaged wood in late winter before new growth begins.
In containers: It can grow in large containers, but it prefers being in the ground to spread its rhizomes.

Softwood Cuttings

Take 10 cm cuttings in early summer.
Remove lower leaves.
Dip in rooting hormone and place in moist soil.

Division

Dig up a section of the root mass in early spring.
Separate the suckers with a sharp spade.
Replant immediately in a new location.

Plant in groups to encourage the formation of thickets, which provides the best shelter for local wildlife.

Grows well with

Serviceberry · They share similar woodland habitat requirements and provide layered interest.
Red Osier Dogwood · Both shrubs thrive in moist soils and offer excellent winter color.

Similar species

Coralberry · A related species with similar growth habits but distinct pinkish red berries.

Science

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

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

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

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Light: 5/9
Moisture: 5/9
Nutrients: 4/9
Soil reaction: 5/9
Temperature: 3/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Are the berries poisonous to dogs?: Yes, they can cause digestive upset in pets if ingested in large quantities.
Does it need pruning?: It benefits from occasional thinning to keep the shrub from becoming too dense.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Symphoricarpos comes from Greek words meaning to bear fruit together, referring to the clustered berries. The species name albus means white, describing the fruit color.

Good to know

The berries are often called snowberries because of their bright white appearance.
Indigenous peoples traditionally used the plant for various medicinal purposes.
It is a very tough plant that tolerates a wide range of soil conditions.
The berries are a vital food source for birds during harsh winters.

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.