Elderberry
Sambucus nigra
Medicinal Plants Difficulty: Easy
📖 About this plant
Elderberry is a fast-growing shrub producing clusters of dark purple berries rich in antioxidants and vitamin C. Widely used in syrups and remedies to support immune function and reduce cold and flu symptoms.
🧑🌾 Care requirements
☀️
Light
Full sun to partial shade (5-7 hrs)
💧
Water
Every 1-2 weeks
💨
Humidity
Moderate (40-60%)
🌡️
Temperature
5-30°C
🪴
Soil
Moist, well-drained loam; tolerates a wide range of soil types; pH 5.5-6.5
🧪
Fertilizer
Annual application of balanced NPK fertilizer in early spring; compost mulch around base
🌐 Common Names
HI
Hindi
एल्डरबेरी
BN
Bengali
এল্ডারবেরি
MR
Marathi
एल्डरबेरी
TE
Telugu
ఎల్డర్బెర్రి
TA
Tamil
எல்டர்பெர்ரி
GU
Gujarati
એલ્ડરબેરી
UR
Urdu
الڈربری
KN
Kannada
ಎಲ್ಡರ್ಬೆರಿ
OR
Odia
ଏଲ୍ଡରବେରି
ML
Malayalam
എൽഡർബെറി
PA
Punjabi
ਏਲਡਰਬੇਰੀ
AS
Assamese
এল্ডারবেৰী
📋 Plant facts
- 🌍 Origin
- Europe, North Africa, Western Asia
- 📏 Max height
- 300-600 cm
- 📐 Spread
- 150-300 cm
- 🕰️ Bloom time
- Spring - Summer
- 🎨 Bloom color
- White, Cream
- 🍃 Foliage color
- Dark Green
- ⏳ Lifespan
- Perennial
- 📈 Growth rate
- Fast
- ☠️ Toxicity
- Raw berries, leaves, stems, and roots are toxic — must be cooked before consumption
- 🌱 Propagation
- Hardwood cuttings in winter; softwood cuttings in summer; seed stratification
🛡️ Health & Safety
⚠️ Not pet safe
☠️ Toxic
Raw berries, leaves, stems, and roots are toxic — must be cooked before consumption
Common issues
- Powdery mildew
- Cane borer
- Aphids on flower heads
- Bacterial canker
💡 Care tips
- Berries and flowers are used to make syrups and teas for immune support
- Raw berries must be cooked before eating to remove toxins
- Plant at least two varieties for cross-pollination and fruit set
- Prune older canes to the ground in early spring
🪴 Add to My Plants
One click — added instantly. Watering every 11 days, fertilizing every 30 days.
