How much sunlight does my American Bittersweet need?

American Bittersweet 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 🏡.

Is American Bittersweet toxic to cats, dogs, or children?

American Bittersweet 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.

What type of soil should I use for my American Bittersweet?

American Bittersweet is very sensitive to dry soil, so choose a potting soil that retains moisture . A good soil will still drain well and contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir or sphagnum moss.

Should I fertilize my American Bittersweet?

American Bittersweet is a fast growing plant and may deplete the nutrients in its soil over time. Replenish them with a gentle organic fertilizer or compost every 1-2 months depending on your location and season. Fertilize more often during the growing season and in warmer and brighter climates.

What is the growth pattern for American Bittersweet?

American Bittersweet is a naturally climbing plant and can be trained to climb indoors if you provide a moss pole or trellis. The newest growth will emerge from the end of the stems.

Can American Bittersweet be grown outdoors?

USDA Hardiness Zone American Bittersweet can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 3a-8b . Find your local hardiness zone here .

American Bittersweet

Q: Is American Bittersweet easy to care for?

American Bittersweet 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!

Q: How often should I water my American Bittersweet?

American Bittersweet 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.

About American Bittersweet

American bittersweet is a twining vine in the Celastraceae (bittersweet) family, native to the southeast. It is best known for its bright red berries and yellow leaves in the fall and the fruit is also used for dried arrangements. It prefers moist well-drained slightly alkaline sandy soil.

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Celastrus scandens

Genus

Celastrus

Family

Celastraceae

Order

Celastrales

Also known as

staffvine, waxwork, climbing bittersweet and shrubby bittersweet

How to care for American Bittersweet

Water

How often to water your American Bittersweet

American Bittersweet 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

Check the growing potential in your area

A plant's growing potential is determined from its location, the time of year, and current local weather.

Select a city to check sunlight intensity

Finding light for American Bittersweet in your home

Light needs and placement for plant American Bittersweet: 1ft from a window

American Bittersweet love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

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

American Bittersweet does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

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

Nutrients

How to fertilize American Bittersweet

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for American Bittersweet: 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 American Bittersweet after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

FAQs

Difficulty Level

American Bittersweet 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

Sunlight Needs

Toxicity

Soil

Fertilizer

Growth Pattern

Growing Outdoors