Seed Availability

Seeds are not available for the Bittersweet. Please visit our seed store to view current selections.

Description

A woody, perennial, with a vining habit, generally growing to 3-10ft, though needing some something to climb on. The pretty purple flowers are born in clusters and red ripening fruits follow, which hang down from the branches in large groups. During both flowering and fruiting season, the vine is particularly pretty in the landscape.

Hardiness

Very hardy, to well below 0F.

Growing Environment

Care should be taken in areas where other Solanum species are at home as the plant has the potential to be a weed. While it makes a nice ornamental, North American gardeners in particular should prevent seeding of the plant.

Propagation

By seeds. Seeds should be planted in warm soil and generally germinate within several weeks.

Uses

The fruits are poisonous to humans and mammals. They are quite popular with birds. The plant is typically grown as an ornamental, though it has medicinal uses and is sometimes grown for these purposes. In herbal medicine it is used to treat skin problems, herpes and allergies.

Native Range

Native to parts of Europe and Asia.

Related Species

Solanaceae
	Acnistus arborescens Wild Tobacco		Brugmansia arborea Angel's Trumpet
	Brugmansia aurea Golden Angel's Trumpet		Brugmansia candida White Angel's Trumpet
	Brugmansia sanguinea Red Angel's Trumpet		Brugmansia suaveolens Angel's Trumpet
	Brugmansia versicolor Orange Angel's Trumpet		Capsicum caballeroi Capsicum caballeroi
	Capsicum exile Cobincho Pepper		Capsicum eximium Capsicum eximium
	Capsicum flexuosum Capsicum flexuosum		Capsicum galapagoense Galapagos Island Pepper
	Capsicum praetermissum Cumari		Capsicum rhomboideum Capsicum rhomboideum
	Cyphomandra abutiloides Dwarf Tamarillo		Cyphomandra betacea Tree Tomato
	Datura inoxia Thorn Apple		Datura metel Double Purple Datura
	Iochroma australe (Acnistus australis) Mini Angel's Trumpet		Iochroma cyaneum Violet Churcu
	Iochroma fuchsioides Red Iochroma		Iochroma grandiflora Giant Iochroma
	Jaltomata procumbens Jaltomato		Lycopersicon melanocarpa Lycopersicon melanocarpa
	Lycopersicon skorospelka Lycopersicon skorospelka		Nicotiana glauca Tree Tobacco
	Physalis alkekengi Chinese Lantern		Physalis angulata Mullaca
	Physalis costomatl Cotztomatl		Physalis ixocarpa Tomatillo
	Physalis minima Sunberry		Physalis peruviana Cape Gooseberry
	Physalis pruinosa Ground Cherry		Solanum aviculare Kangaroo Apple
	Solanum burbankii Wonderberry		Solanum caripense Tzimbalo
	Solanum chessmanii Galapagos Island Tomato		Solanum dulcamara Bittersweet
	Solanum hispidum Giant Devil's Fig		Solanum lycocarpum Fruit for Wolves
	Solanum macrocarpon Gbogname		Solanum mammosum Nipple Fruit
	Solanum melanocerasum Garden Huckleberry		Solanum muricatum Pepino
	Solanum pseudolulo Pseudolulo		Solanum quitoense Naranjilla
	Solanum sessiliflorum Cocona		Solanum uporo Cannibal's Tomato
	Withania somnifera Ashwagandha