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Also known as
Common Buckthorn, Common Buckthorn, Cathartic buckthorn and Purging buckthorn
Taxonomy
Rhamnus cathartica
Rhamnus
Rhamnaceae
Rosales

How to care for Buckthorn
How often to water your Buckthorn

every 9
Buckthorn 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
Finding light for Common Buckthorn in your home

a window
Buckthorn love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.
Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.
Buckthorn does not tolerate low-light 🚫.
Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Buckthorn in your home 🏡.
How to fertilize Buckthorn

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 Buckthorn after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.
Buckthorn is generally easy to care for, though some plant parents report facing challenges with growing it. Check out the reviews down below to read more about their experiences!
💦 Water Needs
Buckthorn 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
Buckthorn 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
Buckthorn is not safe to consume. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian. If you have children, cats, or dogs in the home, we suggest keeping this plant out of reach.
💩 Fertilizer
Buckthorn should be repotted after it doubles in size or once a year, whichever comes first. Fresh potting soil has all the nutrients your plant needs, so as long as it’s refreshed yearly, you shouldn’t need to use fertilizer. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!
⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern
Buckthorn will branch off as it grows. To encourage branching, pinch off the newest growth at the tip and the stem will branch off into two.
🌦️ Growing Outdoors
USDA Hardiness Zone
Buckthorn 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.
Care Summary for Buckthorn
Buckthorn
Greg recommends:

0.5 cups every 9 days

< 1ft from a window

Repot after 2x growth
Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.
