Bittersweet Nightshade
Solanum dulcamara
A semi-woody herbaceous perennial vine featuring alternate, ovate to heart-shaped leaves, sometimes with basal lobes, and branching stems.
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade, approximately 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight daily
- Water
- Moderate and regular watering needs; keep the soil consistently damp. Drought tolerance is low.
- Growth
- Perennial vine or scrambler, growing up to 2 to 4 meters in length, with a rapid growth rate
Care instructions
Provide full sun to partial shade and consistently moist, well-draining soil. Water regularly to maintain moisture levels without allowing the substrate to become waterlogged.
Growing details
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade, approximately 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight daily
Watering
Moderate and regular watering needs; keep the soil consistently damp. Drought tolerance is low.
Soil
Adaptable to a range of soil types, but thrives in fertile, loamy soils with good drainage and a neutral pH of 6.0 to 7.0.
Hardiness zone
USDA Zones 4 through 8
Growth habit
Perennial vine or scrambler, growing up to 2 to 4 meters in length, with a rapid growth rate
Bloom season
Summer to early autumn, featuring small purple or blue star-shaped flowers with prominent yellow central stamens
Propagation
Propagated via stem cuttings or by seed sown in spring
Common pests & issues
Susceptible to typical garden pests such as aphids and spider mites, as well as fungal leaf spot diseases in humid conditions
Similar species
Black Nightshade (Solanum nigrum), which generally grows as an upright herb rather than a climbing or scrambling vine