Black Huckleberry
Gaylussacia baccata
Last reviewed: September 2026
Gaylussacia baccata is a deciduous shrub that produces small red-tinged flowers in May and June, followed by dark berries. It thrives in dry, acidic woodlands and rocky or sandy openings with part sun and moderate to low water.
Toxicity unknown
Black Huckleberry (Gaylussacia baccata) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Black Huckleberry as toxic to livestock.
Light
part sun
Water
medium
Size
24"–48" H × 24"–48" W
Bloom
May, Jun
Native to
AL, AR, CT, DE and 24 more states
Pollinators
bees, butterflies
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
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Black huckleberry is a compact native shrub that produces small white or pink bell-shaped flowers in late spring, followed by dark blue edible berries in summer. The foliage turns attractive shades of red and orange in fall before dropping for winter.
Growing Black Huckleberry
Grow Black Huckleberry in part sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 24 to 48 inches tall and spread 24 to 48 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Black Huckleberry is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.
Works well in: front yard, foundation, street edge, mid zone.
Wildlife value
The flowers attract native bees and butterflies in May and June. The berries provide food for birds and small mammals throughout summer.
Common questions
- When does Black Huckleberry bloom?
- Gaylussacia baccata typically blooms in May and June, producing small bell-shaped flowers along its branches.
- What kind of light does Black Huckleberry need?
- This shrub grows best in part sun but can tolerate conditions ranging from full sun to part shade, especially in open woodland edges.
- How much water does Black Huckleberry require?
- Black Huckleberry prefers medium moisture but can tolerate drier, well-drained soils once established.
- What pollinators visit Black Huckleberry flowers?
- Bees and butterflies are the main visitors to the flowers of Gaylussacia baccata, drawn to its nectar in late spring.
- What does Black Huckleberry look like as a shrub?
- It is a low, multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with small oval leaves and clusters of berries that ripen after the spring bloom.
- Is Black Huckleberry toxic to livestock?
- The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Black Huckleberry as toxic to livestock.
- Is Black Huckleberry HOA-friendly?
- Black Huckleberry is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.
These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Black Huckleberry? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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