American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana)

Also known as: French mulberry

Quick Facts

• Type: shrub
• Size: 3-6 ft tall and wide
• Sun: part
• Water: moderate
• Soil: Adaptable; sandy to loamy, tolerates poor soils
• USDA zones: 7-10

Shocking magenta-purple berry clusters in fall that birds devour – plus crushed leaves repel mosquitoes.

Native statewide and nearly indestructible; cut it to the ground in late winter for fresh, full growth.

In the Landscape

A natural for informal and naturalistic plantings, woodland edges, rain gardens, and pollinator gardens. Plant it in groups 4 to 5 feet apart for a showy fall berry display, or use it as a loose informal screen.

Care & Propagation

Plant in fall or winter in full sun to part shade; it tolerates wet or dry soils once established. Since flowers and fruit form on new growth, prune it hard in late winter (even to the ground) to keep it full and control its sprawling habit. Water through the first dry season to establish.

Very easy to propagate. Sow fresh seed in fall, or take softwood cuttings in late spring to early summer and root them in potting mix with rooting hormone. It also self-sows freely, so volunteer seedlings under the plant can be dug up and moved.

Wildlife Value

The magenta berry clusters are a favorite fall food for songbirds, and the inconspicuous summer flowers draw bees and other pollinators. Birds also spread the seeds, which is why beautyberry pops up happily in wild areas.

🌱 Fun fact: Crushed beautyberry leaves were long rubbed on skin as a folk mosquito repellent, and lab studies at the University of Mississippi found the leaves really do contain compounds that repel mosquitoes, ticks, and ants.

← Browse all Florida native plants

🌴 In Florida

Native statewide and nearly indestructible; cut it to the ground in late winter for fresh, full growth.

🌿 Keep exploring

More Florida natives worth meeting:

• Adam's Needle (Yucca filamentosa)
• Allegheny chinquapin (Castanea pumila)
• American Hazelnut (Corylus americana)

🍽️ Also see the edible-plant profile for this same species: Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) — how to eat it and harvest notes.