Carolina Moonseed
Cocculus carolinus
Last reviewed: August 2026
Cocculus carolinus is a deciduous, twining vine that blooms from June through August and produces clusters of bright red berries in fall, growing well in part sun with medium moisture along woodland edges and fence rows.
Toxicity unknown
Carolina Moonseed (Cocculus carolinus) 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
part sun
Water
medium
Size
120"–240" H × 36"–120" W
Bloom
Jun, Jul, Aug
Native to
AL, AR, DE, FL and 18 more states
Pollinators
bees, beetles
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
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Carolina moonseed is a native climbing vine that can reach 10-20 feet in length with heart-shaped leaves. It produces small greenish flowers in summer followed by red berries on female plants. This vigorous vine works well on trellises, fences, or as ground cover in naturalized areas.
Growing Carolina Moonseed
Grow Carolina Moonseed in part sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 120 to 240 inches tall and spread 36 to 120 inches wide. Expect high maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Carolina Moonseed 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.
- Vigorous growth can appear uncontrolled
- May look sparse or weedy in winter
- Requires regular pruning to maintain tidy appearance
Wildlife value
The summer flowers attract bees and beetles for pollination. Birds enjoy the red berries in fall, and the dense foliage provides nesting sites and cover.
Common questions
- When does Cocculus carolinus bloom?
- Cocculus carolinus blooms from June through August, with small greenish flowers giving way to clusters of red berries by autumn.
- What pollinators visit Cocculus carolinus?
- Bees and beetles are the main visitors to the small flowers of Cocculus carolinus.
- How much sun does Cocculus carolinus need?
- Cocculus carolinus grows best in part sun but tolerates conditions ranging from full sun to part shade.
- How much water does Cocculus carolinus need?
- Cocculus carolinus does well with medium moisture and can handle drier soil once it is established, particularly at woodland edges.
- Does Cocculus carolinus keep its leaves year round?
- No, Cocculus carolinus is deciduous. It drops its leaves in winter and puts out new growth again in spring.
- Is Carolina Moonseed HOA-friendly?
- Carolina Moonseed 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 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 Carolina Moonseed? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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