Hinds' nightshade
Solanum hindsianum
Last reviewed: August 2026
Hinds' nightshade is toxic to dogs and cats.
Listed as toxic by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) (last reviewed 2026-08-15). 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
full sun
Water
low
Size
36"–72" H × 36"–60" W
Bloom
Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct
Native to
AZ
Pollinators
bumble bees
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 445 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaThis nightshade is a gray-leaved, evergreen shrub with a somewhat sprawling, prickly habit and star-shaped purple-blue flowers with a prominent central cone of yellow anthers. It grows in dry desert washes.
Wildlife value
Host plant for Five-spotted Hawkmoth.
The flowers require buzz pollination and are worked mainly by bumble bees, and the genus is a documented host for several hawk moths.
Common questions
- How much sun does Hinds' nightshade need?
- Hinds' nightshade grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Hinds' nightshade bloom?
- Hinds' nightshade blooms in March, April, May, September, and October.
- Where is Hinds' nightshade native?
- Hinds' nightshade (Solanum hindsianum) is native to AZ, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- Is Hinds' nightshade toxic to dogs?
- Yes. Hinds' 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 Hinds' nightshade toxic to cats?
- Yes. Hinds' 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 butterflies or moths does Hinds' nightshade host?
- Hinds' nightshade is a larval host plant for Five-spotted Hawkmoth.
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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