Southern-gooseberry
Vaccinium stamineum
Last reviewed: September 2026
Toxicity unknown
Southern-gooseberry (Vaccinium stamineum) 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
part sun
Water
medium
Size
36"–96" H × 36"–72" W
Bloom
Apr, May, Jun
Native to
AL, AR, CT, DC and 25 more states
Pollinators
bumble bees, 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 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaBrowse plants for this ecoregion
An understory shrub in the blueberry family with an open, layered branching pattern and small white bell-shaped flowers in spring. Green-tinted purple berries follow in fall, and the leaves often color well before dropping.
Wildlife value
Host plant for Henry's elfin.
The bell-shaped flowers are pollinated mainly by bumble bees, the berries feed birds and mammals, and the foliage hosts Henry's elfin caterpillars.
Common questions
- How much sun does Southern-gooseberry need?
- Southern-gooseberry grows best in part sun conditions.
- When does Southern-gooseberry bloom?
- Southern-gooseberry blooms in April, May, and June.
- Where is Southern-gooseberry native?
- Southern-gooseberry (Vaccinium stamineum) is native to AL, AR, CT, DC and 25 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
- What butterflies or moths does Southern-gooseberry host?
- Southern-gooseberry is a larval host plant for Henry's elfin.
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 Southern-gooseberry? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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