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Silverleaf Nightshade

Solanum elaeagnifolium

Last reviewed: October 2026

Silverleaf Nightshade (Solanum elaeagnifolium)
Photo: no rights reserved

Silverleaf Nightshade is toxic to dogs and cats.

Listed as toxic by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) (last reviewed 2026-05-21). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 and your veterinarian's emergency line.

Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants so you can choose a pet-safe native alternative for your yard.

Native swaps for a yard with pets

Silverleaf Nightshade is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. These natives fill a similar role in a planting and are not on the ASPCA toxic plant list for dogs or cats. Each plant's page carries its dated record.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

24"–36" H × 6"–12" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul, Aug

Native to

AZ, CA, CO, KS and 5 more states

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 459 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

Central California Foothills and Coastal MountainsCentral California ValleySouthern California MountainsMojave Basin and RangeNorth American DesertsSouthern RockiesArizona/New Mexico MountainsChihuahuan DesertsHigh PlainsSouthwestern TablelandsCentral Great PlainsGreat PlainsCross TimbersEdwards PlateauSouthern Texas PlainsTexas Blackland PrairiesEast Central Texas PlainsWestern Gulf Coastal PlainSouth Central PlainsEastern Temperate ForestsOzark HighlandsCentral Irregular PlainsWestern Corn Belt PlainsMadrean ArchipelagoSonoran Basin and RangeSouthern California/Northern Baja Coast

Prairie-berry is a low-growing native shrub with silvery foliage and purple flowers that bloom through summer. This drought-tolerant plant forms compact mounds and requires minimal care once established. It naturally stays under 3 feet tall and wide, making it suitable for smaller landscape spaces.

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In an HOA neighborhood

Silverleaf Nightshade 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.

  • Has thorns that may be considered hazardous
  • Can spread aggressively and become weedy
  • May be classified as noxious weed in some areas

Wildlife value

The purple flowers attract native bees and butterflies during the long summer blooming period. The plant provides nectar for pollinators when many other plants are stressed by summer heat.

Common questions

How much sun does Silverleaf Nightshade need?
Silverleaf Nightshade grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Silverleaf Nightshade bloom?
Silverleaf Nightshade blooms in June, July, and August.
Where is Silverleaf Nightshade native?
Silverleaf Nightshade (Solanum elaeagnifolium) is native to AZ, CA, CO, KS and 5 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
Is Silverleaf Nightshade toxic to dogs?
Yes. Silverleaf 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 Silverleaf Nightshade toxic to cats?
Yes. Silverleaf 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 pollinators does Silverleaf Nightshade attract?
Silverleaf Nightshade draws bees and butterflies.
Is Silverleaf Nightshade HOA-friendly?
Silverleaf Nightshade 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 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.

See all plant problem guides

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