Common Barberry

About Common Barberry

The European barberry has become naturalized in the U.S.A. and has become quite weedy. The tiny yellow flowers appear in late spring to early summer and have an unpleasant odor. It has three-parted spines at the base of the leaves.

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Berberis vulgaris

Genus

Berberis

Family

Berberidaceae

Order

Ranunculales

Also known as

European barberry

How to care for Common Barberry

💦 Water

How often to water your Common Barberry

Common Barberry needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Common Barberry in your home

Common Barberry love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Common Barberry does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Common Barberry in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Common Barberry

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Common Barberry: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Common Barberry after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

My Crimson Pygmy Japanese Barberry plants arrived today! I blame the mess on FedEx with the damaged box they delivered. However, the plants themselves seem relatively healthy. Slight breaking points from transport, but I think I can grow these beautifully. These will be grown entirely indoors, under small grow lights and near a window. I will be carefully monitoring the temp/humidity because they usually thrive outdoors. Wish me luck! 🙏

Browse #Berberis

💡 FAQs

⭐ Difficulty Level

Common Barberry can be challenging to care for, according to some plant parents. Check out the reviews down below to learn from their experiences!

💦 Water Needs

Common Barberry prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Common Barberry requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Greg does not have confirmed data on this plant’s toxicity. If you, a family member, or a pet consumes plant material of unknown toxicity, it’s always best to consult a medical professional.

If you or someone else ingested this plant, call Poison Control at US (800) 222-1222. If a pet consumed this plant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA at US (888) 426-4435.

🪴 Soil

Common Barberry does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!

💩 Fertilizer

Common Barberry grows very slowly and doesn’t require added fertilizer. Replacing your plant’s potting soil once a year should provide them with more than enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Common Barberry can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 3a-7b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.