Elderberry is a large, fast-growing shrub with showy white flower clusters in early summer and dark purple berries in late summer. The flowers and berries are used in syrups, jams and cordials, but the plant has an important safety rule: raw berries must not be eaten, and leaves, stems and seeds contain a toxic compound. This page covers where to plant, spacing, pollination, how long you wait for fruit, harvesting and safe use.
Elderberry at a glance
| Type | Fruit |
|---|---|
| Season | Perennial |
| Sun | Full sun |
| Plant spacing | 72 in |
| Row spacing | 96 in |
| Per square foot | 1 |
| Seed depth | At surface |
| Days to maturity | A few years to become productive |
| How to start | Elderberries are easy to start from nursery stock or cuttings. |
| Water | 1 in per week |
These are the same numbers our plant spacing, square foot and harvest date calculators use. See every crop in the plant database.
When to plant elderberry
Elderberries are easy to start from nursery stock or cuttings. Plant them in spring or fall when the soil is workable. Use your growing zone and the frost dates by ZIP code tool to time planting. Remove the flowers in the first one or two years so the plant can build roots and foliage; it takes a few years to become really productive, according to Penn State Extension.
How to plant elderberry
- Choose a sunny spot. Fruiting is best in sun, though plants tolerate shade.
- Give them room. Plant 5 to 7 feet apart; shrubs can reach 12 feet tall and wide. Use the plant spacing calculator.
- Plant at least two cultivars. Elderberries are wind-pollinated and should be planted no more than 60 feet from each other. Different cultivars also stagger bloom and harvest.
- Check the soil. They tolerate wet to dry soil, with an ideal pH of about 6.8 to 7.2.
Caring for elderberry
Water young plants regularly, especially in dry spells, and mulch around the base. The garden watering calculator and mulch calculator help you plan. Birds love the fruit, so cover plants with netting if you want to harvest.
Elderberries grow vigorously and benefit from yearly removal of weak or dead wood. Remove flowers in the first one to two years as noted above.
Companion plants
| Grow nearby | Native plants, pollinator flowers and other fruiting shrubs |
|---|---|
| Keep apart | Plants that need dry, shaded sites |
Elderberries are large shrubs that work well at the edge of a garden or in a hedge, and their flowers attract bees and other pollinators. Check other pairings with the companion plant finder.
Common problems
| Problem | What you see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| No fruit or poor fruit set | Flowers but few berries | Usually a pollination problem. Plant at least two cultivars within 60 feet of each other. |
| Birds eating the berries | Clusters stripped before you pick | Cover with netting. Birds are valuable wildlife, but netting protects your share. |
| Slow to bear | Little fruit in the first years | Normal. It takes a few years to become productive, and flowers are removed in the first one or two years. |
| Poisonous look-alikes | Red-fruited shrubs or poor identification | Red berries of ornamental Sambucus racemosa cultivars are poisonous. Plant named edible cultivars from a nursery, and never eat wild plants unless you are certain. |
Not sure what you are looking at? The plant problem identifier ranks likely causes from the symptoms you see.
When and how to harvest
Pick elderflowers in the morning after the dew dries and before the day heats up. Pick berries in the morning, choosing only fully ripe, deep purple fruit.
Safety first: raw elderberries must not be eaten. The leaves, stems and seeds contain the cyanogenic glycoside sambunigrin, so remove as much stem material from berries as possible. Cooking destroys the toxins in the seeds, so always cook the berries before eating, in jam, syrup or juice.
Plan your elderberry
- Plant spacing calculator: how many plants fit your bed
- Planting calendar: sowing and transplant dates for your frost dates
- Frost dates by ZIP code: your last spring and first fall frost
- Harvest date calculator: when your crop will be ready
Frequently asked questions
How far apart should I plant elderberries?
Space elderberries 72 inches apart in rows 96 inches apart. In a square foot garden, plant 1 per square foot.
How deep do I plant elderberry plants?
Plant elderberries at the same depth they grew in the nursery, spaced 5 to 7 feet apart.
How long do elderberries take to grow?
It takes a few years for elderberry plants to become really productive, and flowers are removed in the first one or two years to help the plant establish.
How much water do elderberries need?
About 1 inch of water a week, from rain and watering combined. Keep young plants evenly watered and mulched; established plants tolerate wet to dry soil.
Can you eat elderberries raw?
No. Raw berries must not be eaten. Cook them first, because cooking destroys the toxins in the seeds. Leaves and stems also contain a toxic compound, so remove as much stem as you can.
Do I need two elderberry plants?
Yes, plant at least two cultivars no more than 60 feet apart, because elderberries are wind-pollinated and different cultivars improve fruit set.
When do elderberries bloom?
White flower clusters appear in June and July, depending on cultivar and site, followed by berries in late summer.