Key Facts
- Perennial herb or subshrub that resprouts from a deep root system.
- Leaves are silvery and hairy giving the common name.
- Flowers are purple to lavender and star shaped.
- Fruits are small yellow to orange berries.
- Spreads by seed and by vegetative root fragments and tubers.
- Prefers dry well drained and often sandy or rocky soils.
- Tolerant of drought and poor soil fertility.
- Considered toxic to livestock pets and humans if ingested.
- Can form persistent colonies and is difficult to eradicate.
Silverleaf Nightshade is a silvery leaved perennial herb or subshrub that produces lavender star shaped flowers and small yellow to orange berries. It tolerates dry poor soils and can form persistent colonies that are difficult to remove and toxic to people and animals.
Identification
Leaves are covered in dense hairs that give the plant a silvery sheen. Flowers are purple to lavender and star shaped while fruits are small yellow to orange berries. Plants stay relatively low most of the time and commonly range from about 6 to 24 inches tall depending on site conditions.
Where it grows and landscape use
Thrives in dry well drained soils such as sandy or rocky sites and in open sunny locations with some tolerance for partial shade. Considered a weed in most landscapes since it spreads by seed and root fragments and can form colonies. Avoid planting it intentionally near paddocks or yards with pets.
Seasonal growth and timing
Plants commonly resprout from a deep root system and in warm areas can flower from spring through fall. In colder areas aboveground growth may die back and regrowth comes from roots in spring. Prevent seed set and remove shoots early in the season to reduce future spread.
Water and soil
Prefers dry well drained soils and tolerates poor fertility and drought. Watering regularly is unnecessary and wet poorly drained soils reduce plant vigor. On dry sandy sites plants often persist while in heavier wet soils they tend to decline so soil drainage strongly affects presence.
After flowering care and safety
Berries are poisonous to livestock pets and people so remove plants from grazing areas and keep children and pets away. Cut flowers and fruit before berries develop to limit seed production but expect regrowth from root fragments. Handle plants with care and dispose of material so berries and roots are not left where animals can eat them.
Controlling spread
Spreads by both seed and vegetative root fragments and tubers which makes control challenging. Mechanical removal that leaves root pieces will allow resprouting so persistent follow up is required. Combine removal of flowering shoots with careful excavation or consult local extension for integrated options that fit your region.
Frequently asked questions
- How fast does Silverleaf Nightshade grow?
- Growth rate varies by site and climate. Plants are generally low growing and reach roughly 6 to 24 inches tall while colonies expand over months to years by root spread and seed.
- Are the berries poisonous?
- Yes. All parts contain toxic glycoalkaloids and berries can cause illness in livestock pets and people. Contact local poison control or a veterinarian for guidance after suspected ingestion.
- Can I control it by pulling plants?
- Pulling can help when the entire root system is removed but root fragments often resprout. Repeated removal and careful disposal of roots improves success.
- Is it classified as invasive?
- It is considered a persistent weed in many areas because it forms colonies from roots and seeds. Local status varies so check regional extension resources for recommendations.
- Will it survive winter?
- Hardiness varies by climate. Approximate USDA range is zones 6 to 10 and in colder winters top growth may die back while roots resprout in spring.
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