Black Elderberry (Sambucus nigra)

How much light does a Black Elderberry need?

Full sun to part shade is the range listed for this shrub. Full sun is the preferred exposure. The source says the plant flowers and fruits best in full sun. The flowers are white and appear in clusters. Part shade is also listed as an acceptable setting.

• Light: Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred)¹

How often to water a Black Elderberry

Soil conditions from wet to dry are tolerated by black elderberry. The recorded range runs from dry at one end to wet at the other. Its listed soil drainage is well drained and moist. NC State Extension lists good drainage for this species. That tolerance and the drainage listing are the two moisture values on record.

• Water: Dry to wet²

Best soil for a Black Elderberry

Good drainage is listed for this plant, along with moist soil. In short, the soil is described as well drained and moist. Penn State Extension gives an ideal pH range of 6.8 to 7.2. The plant also tolerates wet to dry soil conditions. A pH between 6.8 and 7.2 is the band the source calls ideal. Drainage and pH are the two soil values recorded for this species.

• Soil drainage: Well drained and moist¹
• Soil pH: pH 6.8–7.2²

Hardiness and temperature

The hardiness zones listed for black elderberry are 5a through 7b. That range covers six steps, from 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b and 7a up to 7b. The source describes the plant as a large multi-stemmed deciduous shrub or small tree. It belongs to the Viburnaceae family and is native to Europe.

• Hardiness: Zones 5a–7b¹

How to plant a Black Elderberry

USDA zones 5a to 7b are the listed range for planting black elderberry. Mature height is 10–20 ft (3.05–6.1 m). Mature spread is 8–20 ft (2.44–6.1 m). It is a large multi-stemmed deciduous shrub or small tree. It forms colonies easily through self-seeding. Full sun is preferred, and the plant flowers and fruits best there.

• Hardiness: Zones 5a–7b¹

Winter care

Winter hardiness is listed as zones 5a through 7b. The full list reads 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a and 7b. Zone 5a is the coldest in that list, and 7b is the warmest. The plant is a deciduous shrub or small tree. NC State Extension describes it as native to Europe.

• Hardiness: Zones 5a–7b¹

How to propagate a Black Elderberry

You can propagate black elderberry from stem cuttings or from seed. The source notes that the plant self-seeds and forms colonies easily. Two methods are recorded: stem cuttings and seed. The plant is a large multi-stemmed shrub or small tree with a rapid growth rate.

• Propagation: Stem cuttings and seed¹

Common problems

Spotted wing drosophila and citrus longhorn beetle are the pests recorded for black elderberry. The diseases recorded are xylella fastidiosa, silver leaf disease, anthracnose and elderberry rust. EPPO Global Database lists Drosophila suzukii and Xylella fastidiosa. Two pests and four diseases are recorded in total.

• Common pests: spotted wing drosophila and citrus longhorn beetle³
• Common diseases: xylella fastidiosa, silver leaf disease, anthracnose and elderberry rust³

Questions and answers

Is black elderberry toxic to cats and dogs?

Black elderberry is listed as toxic to both cats and dogs. Pet Poison Helpline says elderberry plants contain cyanide-containing compounds (glycosides) and irritant toxins (terpenoids).

How much sun does black elderberry need?

It takes full sun to part shade. Full sun is the preferred exposure, and the plant flowers and fruits best there. The flowers are white.

How big does black elderberry get?

Mature height is 10–20 ft (3.05–6.1 m), and mature spread is 8–20 ft (2.44–6.1 m). The growth rate is rapid. It is a large multi-stemmed deciduous shrub or small tree.