How much sun and water does Black Sumac need?

Rhus copallina grows best in full sun with low water once established, though it can adapt to part sun or part shade and occasional medium moisture.

When does Black Sumac bloom?

Rhus copallina produces small greenish yellow flower clusters in July and August, which later develop into upright clusters of red fruit.

What pollinators visit Black Sumac flowers?

Bees, butterflies, and beetles are commonly seen visiting the summer flowers of Rhus copallina.

What does Black Sumac look like through the seasons?

This shrub has glossy compound leaves that turn a strong red in autumn, and its fruit clusters remain visible into winter after the leaves drop.

Is Black Sumac HOA-friendly?

Black Sumac takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Black Sumac

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Rhus copallina

Last reviewed: September 2026

Rhus copallina, or Black Sumac, is a drought tolerant shrub that grows well in full sun across much of the eastern and central United States. It blooms in July and August with small greenish yellow flower clusters, followed by bright red fruit clusters in fall.

Toxicity unknown

Black Sumac (Rhus copallina) 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.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

120"–300" H × 120"–240" W

Bloom

Jul, Aug

Native to

AL, AR, CT, DE and 30 more states

Pollinators

bees, butterflies, beetles

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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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Central Great Plains Cross Timbers Edwards Plateau Texas Blackland Prairies East Central Texas Plains Western Gulf Coastal Plain South Central Plains Eastern Temperate Forests Ozark Highlands Central Irregular Plains Piedmont Western Corn Belt Plains Northern Lakes and Forests North Central Hardwood Forests Central Corn Belt Plains Eastern Corn Belt Plains Southern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift Plains Huron/Erie Lake Plains Northeastern Highlands Northeastern Coastal Zone Northern Allegheny Plateau Northern Forests Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain Northern Piedmont Southeastern Plains Blue Ridge Ridge and Valley Central Appalachians Western Allegheny Plateau Interior Plateau Interior River Valleys and Hills Mississippi Alluvial Plain Mississippi Valley Loess Plains Southern Coastal Plain Southern Florida Coastal Plain Eastern Great Lakes Lowlands Atlantic Coastal Pine Barrens

Shining sumac is a native shrub that grows 10-25 feet tall and wide, forming colonies through root suckers. It produces clusters of small greenish flowers in summer followed by red berries, and displays brilliant orange-red fall color.

Growing Black Sumac

Grow Black Sumac in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 120 to 300 inches tall and spread 120 to 240 inches wide. Expect high maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Black Sumac takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: high. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Spreads aggressively by root suckers
Can appear wild and uncontrolled
Very large mature size for residential areas

Wildlife value

Host plant for red-spotted purple butterfly, spring azure butterfly.

The summer flowers attract bees, butterflies, and beetles for nectar and pollen. The red berries provide important food for birds throughout fall and winter.

Common questions

How much sun and water does Black Sumac need?: Rhus copallina grows best in full sun with low water once established, though it can adapt to part sun or part shade and occasional medium moisture.
When does Black Sumac bloom?: Rhus copallina produces small greenish yellow flower clusters in July and August, which later develop into upright clusters of red fruit.
What pollinators visit Black Sumac flowers?: Bees, butterflies, and beetles are commonly seen visiting the summer flowers of Rhus copallina.
What does Black Sumac look like through the seasons?: This shrub has glossy compound leaves that turn a strong red in autumn, and its fruit clusters remain visible into winter after the leaves drop.
Is Black Sumac HOA-friendly?: Black Sumac takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. 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.

See all plant problem guides

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