Brazilian Nightshade
Solanum seaforthianum
Last reviewed: August 2026
Brazilian Nightshade is toxic to dogs and cats.
Listed as toxic by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) (last reviewed 2026-05-21). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435and your veterinarian's emergency line.
Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants so you can choose a pet-safe native alternative for your yard.
Light
part sun
Water
medium
Size
60"–240" H × 36"–120" W
Bloom
Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Pollinators
bees, butterflies
Native alternatives to Brazilian Nightshade
Brazilian Nightshade is not native to the United States. These natives fill a similar role in a planting, matched on bloom season, bloom color and mature size.
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.
Find rebates in your areaBrazilian nightshade is a fast-growing evergreen vine that produces clusters of small purple flowers followed by bright red berries. This vigorous climber can quickly cover fences, trellises, or arbors with its lush green foliage. It blooms for an extended period from spring through fall, providing consistent color in the landscape.
In an HOA neighborhood
Brazilian Nightshade 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.
- Aggressive spreader that can overtake other plants
- May be considered invasive or weedy
- Requires frequent pruning to maintain neat appearance
Wildlife value
The abundant flowers attract bees and butterflies throughout the growing season. Birds are drawn to the colorful berries, making this vine a valuable food source for local wildlife.
Common questions
- How much sun does Brazilian Nightshade need?
- Brazilian Nightshade grows best in part sun conditions.
- When does Brazilian Nightshade bloom?
- Brazilian Nightshade blooms in March, April, May, June, July, August, and September.
- Is Brazilian Nightshade toxic to dogs?
- Yes. Brazilian Nightshade is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
- Is Brazilian Nightshade toxic to cats?
- Yes. Brazilian Nightshade is listed as toxic to cats by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your cat has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
- What pollinators does Brazilian Nightshade attract?
- Brazilian Nightshade draws bees and butterflies.
- Is Brazilian Nightshade HOA-friendly?
- Brazilian Nightshade takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
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
Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants like Brazilian Nightshade and shows pet-safe natives for your ecoregion instead.
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