Milkberry
Chiococca pinetorum
Last reviewed: October 2026
Milkberry (Chiococca pinetorum) is a perennial shrub native to FL. It blooms in May, June, July, and August. The flowers draw bees and butterflies.
Toxicity unknown
Milkberry (Chiococca pinetorum) 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
medium
Size
24"–48" H × 24"–48" W
Bloom
May, Jun, Jul, Aug
Native to
FL
Pollinators
bees, butterflies
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 460 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
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Browse plants for this ecoregion
Low, sprawling evergreen shrub with glossy leaves and small tubular cream flowers followed by white berries. Found in pine rocklands and open pinewoods.
Growing Milkberry
Grow Milkberry in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 24 to 48 inches tall and spread 24 to 48 inches wide.
Wildlife value
Flowers attract bees and butterflies; white berries provide food for birds.
Common questions
- How much sun does Milkberry need?
- Milkberry grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Milkberry bloom?
- Milkberry blooms in May, June, July, and August.
- Where is Milkberry native?
- Milkberry (Chiococca pinetorum) is native to FL, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
- What pollinators does Milkberry attract?
- Milkberry draws bees and 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 Milkberry? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.