Skip to main content

Sawtooth Blackberry

Rubus argutus

Last reviewed: August 2026

Sawtooth Blackberry (Rubus argutus)
Photo: Forest & Kim Starr / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)

Toxicity unknown

Sawtooth Blackberry (Rubus argutus) 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 Sawtooth Blackberry as toxic to livestock.

Light

part sun

Water

medium

Size

24"–96" H × 36"–120" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr, May

Native to

AL, AR, CT, DE and 22 more states

Pollinators

bees, beetles

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 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Browse plants for this ecoregion

East Central Texas PlainsWestern Gulf Coastal PlainSouth Central PlainsEastern Temperate ForestsOzark HighlandsCentral Irregular PlainsPiedmontCentral Corn Belt PlainsEastern Corn Belt PlainsNortheastern HighlandsNortheastern Coastal ZoneMiddle Atlantic Coastal PlainNorthern PiedmontSoutheastern PlainsBlue RidgeRidge and ValleyCentral AppalachiansInterior PlateauInterior River Valleys and HillsMississippi Alluvial PlainMississippi Valley Loess PlainsSouthern Coastal PlainEastern Great Lakes LowlandsAtlantic Coastal Pine Barrens

Sawtooth blackberry is a native vine that produces thorny canes and edible black berries. It spreads vigorously through underground runners and can form dense thickets if not regularly managed.

In an HOA neighborhood

Sawtooth Blackberry 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.

  • Thorny canes create safety concerns
  • Aggressive spreading habit
  • Can appear wild and unkempt

Wildlife value

The spring flowers attract bees and beetles for pollination. Birds and small mammals feed on the berries, while the dense growth provides nesting habitat.

Common questions

How much sun does Sawtooth Blackberry need?
Sawtooth Blackberry grows best in part sun conditions.
When does Sawtooth Blackberry bloom?
Sawtooth Blackberry blooms in March, April, and May.
Where is Sawtooth Blackberry native?
Sawtooth Blackberry (Rubus argutus) is native to AL, AR, CT, DE and 22 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
Is Sawtooth Blackberry toxic to livestock?
The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Sawtooth Blackberry as toxic to livestock.
What pollinators does Sawtooth Blackberry attract?
Sawtooth Blackberry draws bees and beetles.
Is Sawtooth Blackberry HOA-friendly?
Sawtooth Blackberry takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

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.

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.

See all plant problem guides

Ready to grow Sawtooth Blackberry? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

Add this plant to your garden
iPhone appAndroid app

Planning a bed around it? Start a free plan with this plant

Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz