Inkberry
Randia aculeata
Last reviewed: October 2026
Inkberry (Randia aculeata) is a perennial shrub native to FL. It blooms in March, April, May, and June. The flowers draw bees and small butterflies.
Toxicity unknown
Inkberry (Randia aculeata) 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
full sun
Water
low
Size
36"–120" H × 36"–96" W
Bloom
Mar, Apr, May, Jun
Native to
FL
Pollinators
bees, small butterflies
Before you buy
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Browse plants for this ecoregion
A dense, thorny evergreen shrub with small, glossy leaves and small, fragrant white flowers, followed by white berries. Naturally compact and rounded, well suited to a clipped hedge form.
Growing Inkberry
Grow Inkberry in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 36 to 120 inches tall and spread 36 to 96 inches wide.
How to care for Inkberry, by region
How to care for Inkberry where it is actually grown: year-round basics plus what to do each season, region by region, with the sources for each.
Care guidance last updated: October 2026
Southeastern Plains (includes Tallahassee, FL)
Year-round
White indigoberry is an evergreen shrub that likes sun and takes shearing.
- It grows 3 to 10 feet tall in full or part sun.
- It likes moist soil but tolerates dry periods and some flooding.
- It is listed for zones 10 to 11, so Tallahassee frosts may damage it.
It can be sheared into a shrub border or foundation planting, which suits tidy front yards.
Fall
Fall is a time to prepare for possible cold.
- Finish any shearing early so new growth is not hit by frost.
- Watch the forecast for cold nights.
- Mulch the base to protect roots.
Winter
Winter cold is the main risk in Tallahassee.
- The source lists zones 10 to 11, so cover or shelter young plants on frost nights.
- A spot near a south wall can help.
- Wait until spring to trim any damaged growth.
Spring
Spring is a good time to plant and shape it.
- Plant after the last frost so young shrubs are not hit by cold.
- Water regularly while roots get established.
- Shear lightly to keep a tidy shape.
Summer
Summer needs steady moisture while it grows.
- It prefers moist conditions but copes with long dry spells.
- Water young plants deeply in dry weeks.
- Full to part sun is fine.
Wildlife value
Flowers provide nectar for bees and small butterflies, and the berries are eaten by birds.
Common questions
- How much sun does Inkberry need?
- Inkberry grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Inkberry bloom?
- Inkberry blooms in March, April, May, and June.
- Where is Inkberry native?
- Inkberry (Randia aculeata) is native to FL, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
- What pollinators does Inkberry attract?
- Inkberry draws bees and small butterflies.
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 Inkberry? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.