Golden Dewdrops (Duranta erecta)
Formerly Duranta repens, Duranta plumieri, Ellisia acuta
Golden dewdrops (Duranta erecta) is an evergreen, sprawling shrub that grows outdoors in USDA zones 9a to 11b, in full sun or part shade. Indoor light and watering needs are not documented for this page. The plant is toxic to both cats and dogs.
Photo: O Tupinólogo, CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Quick facts
| Soil: | Well drained and moist11 source |
|---|---|
| Size: | 18 ft (5.49 m) × 4–10 ft (1.22–3.05 m)211 source |
| Growth rate: | Rapid111 source |
| Bloom: | Blue, pink, purple and white12 |
| Cats: | Toxic to cats (1 source) 1 |
| Dogs: | Toxic to dogs (1 source) 1 |
| Native range: | BAH, CAY, CLM, COS, CUB, DOM, ELS, FLA, FRG, GUA, GUY, HAI, HON, JAM, LEE, MXC, MXE, MXG, MXN, MXS, MXT, MYA, NIC, PAN, PUE, SUR, TRT, VEN, VNA, WIN3 |
| Family: | Verbenaceae |
Best soil for a Golden Dewdrops
The soil conditions listed for golden dewdrops are good drainage and moisture. Outdoors, the plant suits USDA zones 9a to 11b. It prefers full sun, meaning 6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day, and it tolerates part shade. Plan for a spread of 4 to 10 ft (1.22 to 3.05 m) when you choose a spot. It can reach heights of up to 18 ft (5.49 m).
Pruning a Golden Dewdrops
Prune golden dewdrops after it flowers to keep it more compact. The pruning recorded for this plant is light shaping. The plant grows in a somewhat weeping or sprawling habit. Its growth rate is rapid. It is an evergreen shrub, or rarely a small tree.
- Pruning: Light shaping1
How to propagate a Golden Dewdrops
Two propagation methods are recorded for golden dewdrops: seed and stem cuttings. You can start new plants from seed. You can also take stem cuttings. The plant grows at a rapid rate, and it is evergreen. Mature plants reach up to 18 ft (5.49 m) tall and spread 4 to 10 ft (1.22 to 3.05 m).
Common problems
Whiteflies are the pest to watch for on golden dewdrops, an evergreen shrub that can reach 18 ft (5.49 m). No significant disease problems are recorded for this plant. Watch for whiteflies when you look over the plant. Diseases are not a listed concern for it.
| Problem | Kind |
|---|---|
| Whiteflies | Pest |
Is Golden Dewdrops toxic to cats and dogs?
Golden dewdrops is toxic to cats. The cat record names no plant part and no severity, so the parts that affect cats are not documented. It is also toxic to dogs. For dogs, the fruits can be fatal if they are eaten. Dogs are the animals for which a fatal outcome is recorded, while the record for cats gives no outcome. Keep this plant away from both cats and dogs.
Pet-safe alternatives
Recommended supplies
- Soil: a free-draining mix, and a pot with a drainage hole.
Questions and answers
- Is golden dewdrops toxic to cats and dogs?
- Golden dewdrops is toxic to both cats and dogs. If dogs eat the fruits, the outcome can be fatal. The record for cats names no plant part. Keep the plant away from both animals.
- How big does golden dewdrops get?
- It can reach up to 18 ft (5.49 m) tall. The spread is 4 to 10 ft (1.22 to 3.05 m). The growth rate is rapid. It is an evergreen shrub, or rarely a small tree.
- What flower colors does golden dewdrops have?
- The flowers come in blue, pink, purple and white. Pruning after flowering is recommended to keep the plant more compact. Light shaping is the pruning type recorded.
Sources
- NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/duranta-erecta/. Accessed 14 October 2026.
- University of Florida IFAS Extension (EDIS). https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FR327. Accessed 14 October 2026.
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (World Checklist of Vascular Plants). https://sftp.kew.org/pub/data-repositories/WCVP/wcvp.zip. Accessed 4 June 2026.
How this page was made
- Written with AI assistance from the sources listed on this page. AI is never the source of a fact.