How much sun does Carolina Horse-nettle need?

Carolina Horse-nettle grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Carolina Horse-nettle bloom?

Carolina Horse-nettle blooms in June, July, and August.

Where is Carolina Horse-nettle native?

Carolina Horse-nettle (Solanum carolinense) is native to AL, AR, FL, GA and 24 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.

Is Carolina Horse-nettle toxic to dogs?

Yes. Carolina Horse-nettle 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 Carolina Horse-nettle toxic to cats?

Yes. Carolina Horse-nettle 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 Carolina Horse-nettle attract?

Carolina Horse-nettle draws bees and beetles.

Is Carolina Horse-nettle HOA-friendly?

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

Carolina Horse-nettle

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Solanum carolinense

Last reviewed: October 2026

Carolina Horse-nettle 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) 426-4435 and your veterinarian's emergency line.

Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants so you can choose a pet-safe native alternative for your yard.

Native swaps for a yard with pets

Carolina Horse-nettle is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. These natives fill a similar role in a planting and are not on the ASPCA toxic plant list for dogs or cats. Each plant's page carries its dated record.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

12"–36" H × 12"–24" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul, Aug

Native to

AL, AR, FL, GA and 24 more states

Pollinators

bees, beetles

Before you buy

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Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 459 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Carolina horse-nettle is a spiny perennial wildflower with white to pale purple star-shaped blooms from June through August. This drought-tolerant plant spreads by underground rhizomes and can form colonies over time. It produces small yellow berries after flowering but all parts of the plant are toxic.

In an HOA neighborhood

Carolina Horse-nettle 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.

Thorny stems present safety hazard
Toxic berries dangerous around children and pets
Can spread aggressively and look weedy

Wildlife value

The flowers attract native bees and beetles during summer months. However, the toxic nature of the plant limits its value to most wildlife species.

Common questions

How much sun does Carolina Horse-nettle need?: Carolina Horse-nettle grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Carolina Horse-nettle bloom?: Carolina Horse-nettle blooms in June, July, and August.
Where is Carolina Horse-nettle native?: Carolina Horse-nettle (Solanum carolinense) is native to AL, AR, FL, GA and 24 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
Is Carolina Horse-nettle toxic to dogs?: Yes. Carolina Horse-nettle 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 Carolina Horse-nettle toxic to cats?: Yes. Carolina Horse-nettle 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 Carolina Horse-nettle attract?: Carolina Horse-nettle draws bees and beetles.
Is Carolina Horse-nettle HOA-friendly?: Carolina Horse-nettle takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

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.

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