American Bittersweet

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

Finding light for American Bittersweet in your home

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.

Help with ID? I just got this plant as a gift today, (from someone who got it from someone else) and the name of it has been lost lol Greg thinks it’s Asian bittersweet but I am unsure. Open to other ideas and suggestions as to what it is, it came with a bonsai care book so we’ll see how caring for it goes 😂 #WhatPlantIsThis #PlantID #Bonsai (edited to add the plant lol)

Browse #Celastrus

💡 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!

How to Grow American Bittersweet →

Benefits of Growing American Bittersweet →

Common American Bittersweet Problems →

Outdoor Care Guide for American Bittersweet →

💦 Water Needs

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.

American Bittersweet Water Frequency →

American Bittersweet Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

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 🏡.

American Bittersweet Light Requirements →

American Bittersweet Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

American Bittersweet is extremely dangerous if consumed. 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 immediately. American Bittersweet is not recommended for homes with children, cats, or dogs.

Is American Bittersweet Edible? →

American Bittersweet Toxicity to Cats →

American Bittersweet Toxicity to Dogs →

American Bittersweet Toxicity to Humans →

🪴 Soil

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.

Best Soil Mix for American Bittersweet →

Best Pots for American Bittersweet →

When and How to Successfully Repot American Bittersweet →

What Are Healthy American Bittersweet Roots →

💩 Fertilizer

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.

How Much and When to Fertilize American Bittersweet →

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

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.

American Bittersweet Lifecycle →

American Bittersweet Size Guide →

How and When to Prune American Bittersweet →

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

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

American Bittersweet Temperature Tolerance →

American Bittersweet Hardiness Zones →

Landscaping Ideas with American Bittersweet →

When to Plant American Bittersweet →

How to Plant American Bittersweet →

Where to Plant American Bittersweet →

Winter Care for American Bittersweet →

Best Companion Plants for American Bittersweet →

Is American Bittersweet a Weed? →

🍂 Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.

Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in American Bittersweet, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.

Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!

🧐 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.