How long does Carolina wolfberry stay in bloom?

Carolina wolfberry can produce flowers in almost any month, with blooming often continuing through the warmer parts of the year in mild coastal climates.

What light and water conditions does Carolina wolfberry need?

It does best in full sun with steady moisture, and it is often found growing in salt marshes, brackish wetlands and sandy coastal soils that stay wet.

What pollinators visit Carolina wolfberry flowers?

The small tubular purple flowers attract bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and other nectar seeking insects.

Does Carolina wolfberry lose its leaves in winter?

It tends to be semi-evergreen, holding much of its foliage in mild coastal areas but thinning out during cooler spells or dry periods.

Is Carolina Wolfberry toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Carolina Wolfberry as toxic to livestock.

Is Carolina Wolfberry HOA-friendly?

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

Carolina Wolfberry

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Lycium carolinianum

Last reviewed: October 2026

Carolina wolfberry is a spiny, salt tolerant shrub of coastal marshes and dunes along the Gulf Coast, blooming for much of the year with small lavender flowers that draw bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.

Toxicity unknown

Carolina Wolfberry (Lycium carolinianum) 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 Carolina Wolfberry as toxic to livestock.

Light

full sun

Water

high

Size

48"–72" H × 24"–36" W

Bloom

Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec

Native to

AL, FL, GA, LA and 3 more states

Pollinators

butterflies, bees, hummingbirds, nectar insects

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Western Gulf Coastal Plain Southern Coastal Plain Southern Florida Coastal Plain

Carolina Wolfberry is a medium-sized evergreen shrub that produces small purple flowers nearly year-round followed by bright red berries. This native Texas plant thrives in full sun with regular water and maintains its foliage through winter. The berries are attractive to birds while the long blooming period supports pollinators consistently.

Growing Carolina Wolfberry

Grow Carolina Wolfberry in full sun and high water. Mature plants reach 48 to 72 inches tall and spread 24 to 36 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

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

Works well in: backyard only.

Height exceeds typical HOA-friendly range

Wildlife value

This shrub attracts butterflies, bees, hummingbirds, and other nectar insects with its extended 12-month blooming period. The red berries provide food for birds and small wildlife.

Common questions

How long does Carolina wolfberry stay in bloom?: Carolina wolfberry can produce flowers in almost any month, with blooming often continuing through the warmer parts of the year in mild coastal climates.
What light and water conditions does Carolina wolfberry need?: It does best in full sun with steady moisture, and it is often found growing in salt marshes, brackish wetlands and sandy coastal soils that stay wet.
What pollinators visit Carolina wolfberry flowers?: The small tubular purple flowers attract bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and other nectar seeking insects.
Does Carolina wolfberry lose its leaves in winter?: It tends to be semi-evergreen, holding much of its foliage in mild coastal areas but thinning out during cooler spells or dry periods.
Is Carolina Wolfberry toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Carolina Wolfberry as toxic to livestock.
Is Carolina Wolfberry HOA-friendly?: Carolina Wolfberry 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.

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Common plant problems, and what to check first

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