Bittersweet
Solanum dulcamara · Solanaceae
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around bittersweet and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Common name
- Bittersweet nightshade
- Family
- Solanaceae
- Form
- Climbing/twining
- Foliage
- Deciduous to semi-evergreen
- Flowering
- June to September
- Fruits
- Red berries at maturity
- Hardiness
- Excellent (down to -15°C)
- Origin
- Europe, Western Asia
- Growth
- Fast and vigorous
Care
Exposure
Plant your bittersweet nightshade in full sun or partial shade. It tolerates partial shade very well and even grows in shaded conditions, making it highly adaptable. In full sun, flowering and fruiting will be more abundant.
Watering
Water regularly when planting and during the first season. Once established, it tolerates temporary drought well thanks to its vigorous root system. In containers, keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.
Soil
This plant adapts to all soil types, even poor or compacted ones. It prefers well-drained soil but accepts moist and clay soils. No special preparation is necessary at planting.
Pruning and training
Prune after flowering to maintain shape and control its vigorous growth. You can cut it back hard in spring. Guide the stems onto a support (trellis, arbour) by attaching them loosely with flexible ties.
Fertiliser
Fertiliser is generally not essential. In poor soil or in containers, a light spring application of balanced fertiliser can support growth. Avoid excess nitrogen which would favour foliage at the expense of flowering.
Diseases and pests
This hardy plant is rarely subject to serious diseases. Watch for powdery mildew in humid conditions and spider mites in dry climates. Good drainage and good air circulation prevent most fungal problems.
Did you know?
Bittersweet nightshade owes its name to the contrast between the bitter taste of its stems and its berries which become sweet when ripe. Although cultivated as an ornamental for a long time, it is often considered a wild plant in Europe, where it climbs hedges and walls freely. It's a pioneer species that easily colonises disturbed land.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- TomatoSolanum lycopersicum
- Sweet pepperCapsicum annuum
- EggplantSolanum melongena
- Cape gooseberryPhysalis peruviana
- Night jessamineCestrum nocturnum
- Potato vineSolanum laxum
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.