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Heavenly Bamboo

Nandina domestica

An invasive, cane-forming shrub with finely divided leaves and persistent red fruit. Found in forests and woodlands in suburban areas, commonly planted, increasingly escaping and naturalizing. Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), Northern Tier edition What its natural habitat tells you

Poisonous if eaten

Not native to Virginia. Not suggested for planting. How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 82%

Height
3–8 feet
Spread
2–5 feet
Light
Dappled sunlight, Full sun, Partial shade
Soil moisture
Usually moist
See native alternatives

Do not plant. Listed invasive in Virginia.

Poisonous if eaten. Berries and foliage are toxic; the fruit can harm birds. Plant caution source

Hidden from default planting suggestions. Wildlife value and native status remain unchanged.

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At a glance

Life cycle
Woody perennial
Leaves
Evergreen
Bloom
May to June
Fruiting season
October to November

Recorded in 25 Virginia counties.

Natural habitats

Places it grows wild. Not a planting requirement. Each habitat page lists the plants and wildlife also found there.

Forests and woodlands

Forest or woodland where the source does not say how moist or dry.

All habitats

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

2CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including VA

Genus host records with ranges including VA · Nandina

  • Megalopyge opercularisSouthern Flannel Moth, Puss Caterpillar
  • Spodoptera eridaniaSouthern Armyworm Moth
Shropshire & Tallamy 2025, Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 1261 (ODbL)
—BeesSoutheastern regional records
—Specialist beesPollen specialists
—BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim
Growing and identification

Plant details

Family
Berberidaceae
Hardiness
Zones 6a–9b
Soil pH
Acidic to alkaline
Flower color
White
Growth rate
Rapid
Growth habit
Several stems
Foliage color
Green
Fruit begins
October
Fruit ends
November

Choose a locally appropriate native alternative. Berries and foliage are toxic; fruit can harm birds. NC State Extension

Growing sources and scope

Recognizing it

Large leaves divide two or three times into leaflets. White flower clusters mature into red berries. Identification source

Also known as

Nandina; Sacred Bamboo

Conservation status

Virginia rankSNA
Global rankGNR
VA statusNot verified
Federal statusNot verified

Conservation source Global and federal source

Sources