Devil's Walking Stick (Aralia spinosa) - How to Grow & Care Guide

Plant Snapshot

Common Name: Devil's Walking Stick
Latin Name: Aralia spinosa
Hardiness Zones: USDA zones 5–9.
Typical Height: 10–25 ft (3–7.5 m).
Typical Spread: 8–15 ft (2.5–4.5 m).
Bloom Period: Summer, typically midsummer (flowers in July–August in many temperate North American locations).
Soil Preferences: Rich, moist, well drained soil preferred. Tolerates clay and occasional dry periods once established. Poorly drained, waterlogged soils can cause decline.
Light Preferences: Part shade to full shade is ideal. Can tolerate morning sun or dappled sun. Full sun acceptable only with reliably moist soil.
Toxicity: Stout spines can cause mechanical injury. Fruit are eaten by birds. There is no well documented severe human or pet toxicity but ingestion of berries may cause stomach upset. Handle with gloves and supervise children and pets around spiny stems.
Propagation: By seed, by suckers or basal shoots, and by root or crown cuttings. Layering and softwood cuttings may be possible but success rates vary.

Key Facts

Native shrub or small tree of eastern North America.
Multiple stems often armed with stout prickles.
Very large bipinnate leaves create a tropical look.
Flat-topped umbels of small white flowers appear in summer.
Dark purple to black berries ripen in late summer to fall and attract birds.
Spreads by seed and by suckering to form colonies.
Tolerates part shade and shaded woodland conditions.
Useful as a specimen or wildlife shrub but can form dense thickets.

Devil’s Walking Stick is a multi-stemmed native shrub or small tree with very large compound leaves and stout spines. It produces flat-topped clusters of white flowers in summer and dark purple to black berries that attract birds while the spiny stems limit close access.

Identification

Multiple stems often bear stout prickles and support very large bipinnate leaves that give a tropical silhouette. Midsummer brings flat-topped umbels of small white flowers followed by dark purple to black berries in late summer to fall. Height typically ranges from 10 to 25 feet with an 8 to 15 foot spread.

Best uses and where to grow

Use as a specimen or wildlife shrub in naturalized borders and woodland-edge plantings where birds benefit from the fruit. It performs best in part shade to full shade and fits shaded native gardens. Avoid planting it against narrow paths or playground areas because the stout spines create a mechanical injury risk.

Planting season and spacing

Plant in the active growing season when soil is workable so roots can begin to establish. Space plants according to mature spread, typically 8 to 15 feet apart, to allow room for suckering and a natural multi-stemmed habit. In tight sites expect a need for regular thinning.

Soil and light

Prefers rich, moist, well drained soil and tolerates clay and occasional dry spells once established. Best in part shade to shade and will tolerate some sun if soil remains reliably moist. Avoid waterlogged sites where decline is likely and avoid hot, dry full sun without supplemental moisture.

Watering and common responses

Keep young plants evenly moist until established; consistent moisture promotes full leaf development and reduces leaf scorch. On dry sites leaves may scorch and overall vigor can decline. Once established the plant tolerates occasional dry periods but performs best with regular moisture in hotter months.

After-flowering care

Leave berry clusters for birds or remove spent umbels if you prefer a tidier look. Thin or remove basal suckers to control form and limit thicket formation. Protect trunks and stems when working nearby by wearing gloves and long sleeves because of the stout spines.

Controlling spread and propagation

Spreads by seed and by suckering roots and can form dense thickets if unchecked. Control by removing unwanted suckers at the root or by cutting flowering stems before fruit set to reduce self-seeding. Propagation is by seed, by suckers or basal shoots, and by root or crown cuttings; layering is also possible.

Frequently asked questions

How fast does Devil’s Walking Stick grow?: Growth rate varies with site fertility and light. It commonly reaches 10 to 25 feet in height over several years, with taller, leggier growth in shade and slower, sturdier growth in drier, sunnier sites.
Is Devil’s Walking Stick invasive?: It is not listed as a major invasive species but it spreads by seed and suckering and can form dense thickets where conditions are favorable. Monitor and remove unwanted suckers to prevent colony formation.
Are the berries toxic to people or pets?: Stout spines on stems are the main hazard. Fruit are eaten by birds and there is no well documented severe human or pet toxicity, though ingestion may cause mild stomach upset. Verify with local poison control for specific concerns.
What soil and light does it need?: It prefers rich, moist, well drained soil and performs best in part shade to shade. It tolerates clay and occasional dry periods once established but avoids waterlogged sites and hot, dry full sun without reliable moisture.
How can I propagate it?: Propagate by seed, by removing and replanting suckers or basal shoots, or by root and crown cuttings. Layering is also possible. Success varies by method, so trial on a small scale before larger propagation efforts.