Red Baneberry (Actaea rubra) enchants woodland gardens with its deeply divided, lush green foliage and clusters of feathery white blooms in late spring. Reaching about 1 to 3 feet in height, this bushy perennial is prized for its striking red berries, which develop by mid to late summer and add colorful interest among shaded plantings. These glossy berries—though highly toxic to humans—remain harmless to birds, who eat them and disperse the seeds. The plant’s upright form and delicately lobed leaves help it stand out, making Red Baneberry an excellent choice for creating layers of texture and subtle charm in woodland-inspired or naturalized landscapes.
Red Baneberry is native to cool, moist forests of North America, thriving in partial to full shade and rich, humusy soil. It is relatively low-maintenance and rarely troubled by pests or diseases, although its berries are poisonous to mammals, helping deter deer from browsing. Add it to shade borders, wildflower meadows, or naturalistic plantings where its berries provide a bright pop of color and seasonal interest. Combined with ferns or coarse-leaved shade perennials, Red Baneberry’s airy texture creates a refined contrast that elevates any woodland garden.
Red Baneberry Care
Plant Red Baneberry in partial to full shade in fertile, slightly acidic soil with plenty of organic matter. Keep the soil evenly moist, especially during the first growing season, by watering regularly and applying a layer of mulch to maintain consistent moisture. Little fertilization is required; adding compost or well-rotted leaf litter each spring usually suffices. The plant can handle cooler conditions but may suffer in very hot climates, so ensure adequate shade and water in warmer regions. Avoid planting near highly trafficked areas if children or pets might sample its toxic berries.
After blooming, you can remove spent flowers if you prefer tidier-looking plants, though doing so may reduce berry production. Stems typically die back in the autumn; removing withered foliage at that time can help tidy the garden bed. For container growing, choose a deep pot to accommodate the plant’s rhizomatous roots and keep the soil from drying out too quickly. In colder regions, leaving leaf litter around the base of the plant over winter can provide extra insulation.
Red Baneberry Spacing
Space plants about 18 to 24 inches apart when placing multiple Red Baneberry shrubs in a row or mass planting. This allows for proper airflow and healthy leaf expansion as they fill in the area. If growing in a container, select a pot at least 12 inches wide and deep, ensuring enough room for root development and moderate growth in subsequent seasons.
- SKU:
- 1231021851-pc
Container Sizes
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
4.5" Pot
Also Known As:
4.5" Container
Plant Age:
~ 6 months
Plant Size:
~ 3"-6"
Pot Size:
~ 4.5"H x 3.75"W
Volume:
1.42 quarts
Quart Pot
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
2.5 Quart
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
#1 Pot
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
#2 Pot
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
#3 Pot
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
For more detailed information, please click here.
Plant Addicts Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)
Plant Addicts always guarantees your plant(s) will arrive happy & healthy. However, plant(s) are being shipped through the mail & sometimes accidents happen. If the plant is dead, has dried out roots or the incorrect item was shipped, just notify Plant Addicts within 3 days upon delivery. We may ask for pictures but will try to make it as easy as possible for you. Please note, plant(s) with damaged branches or wilted leaves will not qualify for this guarantee. Plants are very resilient and will rebound quickly when cared for correctly.
For more information on how to care for your new plants, please click on our guide below.
Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)
Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)
We encourage all plant lovers to purchase the Plant Addicts Warranty, whether you're a new gardener or an expert. There are many variables outside of anyone's control that can cause a plant to die. Hungry animals, drought, poor soil conditions, over watering, diseases & pests are all good examples of what can cause plants to die. The Plant Addicts Warranty is a 1 year warranty protecting you from all of the unknowns and will replace your plant if something were to happen to it.
The warranty is purchased on a per plant basis and must be purchased at the same time as the plant(s). We will cover 100% of the price of the plant, but the warranty does not cover shipping costs. SImply let us know if your plant has died within 1 year of receiving it and we will get you a new one shipped out as soon as possible (depending on the time of the year and availability). We may ask for photos for documentation purposes, but we try to make the process as easy as possible.
For more information, please click on our page below.
Plant Shipping
Below are some factors we consider when determining when to ship the plants depending on the timing of the order.
Winter to Early Spring
We ship only when it's warm enough to plant in your growing zone.
Sometimes plants aren't completely ready to sell and ship in early spring. We will wait until the plants are ready before shipping so you don't get a subpar product.
For Southern plants we will be able to ship much earlier than plants coming from our northern nursery.
Summer
If there is extreme heat we may delay shipping for a week or several weeks.
We review what areas the plants are traveling through as well as your location.
Fall into Winter
We’ll ship plants out all the way up to the end of the fall planting season!
Winter
Get your order in early to reserve your plants for Spring planting!
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an automated email with tracking information.
Click here for more detailed shipping information.
Planter Shipping
Standard Colors: 2-3 business days
Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice
Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations