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Pigeonberry

Rivina humilis

Also listed as Piercea acuminata, Piercea glabra

Also known as Coral Berry, Bloodberry, Rougeplant

herbaceous⛅ part shade💧💧 moderate water❄ Hardy: Zone 10a – Zone 12b

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A compact, tropical perennial with small white or pink flowers followed by attractive red berries. It's commonly grown as a houseplant or in warm gardens for its ornamental foliage and persistent fruit.

Why grow it

Pigeonberry offers year-round ornamental interest in warm climates where many deciduous alternatives drop foliage seasonally. Its compact habit and persistent berries make it useful for container cultivation or as understory fill in tropical permaculture systems. Compared to related ornamental berry plants, it tolerates partial shade and lower maintenance once established, though it lacks the cold hardiness of temperate alternatives.

Watch out for

In suitable climates, plants may self-seed readily in garden settings, so deadheading spent berries can help manage volunteer seedlings. Consistent moisture and good drainage support better foliage quality than drought-stressed plants, which may show reduced berry production or leggy growth.

Overview

Form
Mounding
Growth Rate
moderate
Size
1–3′ tall × 1–2.5′ wide
Dormancy
evergreen
Family
Phytolaccaceae
Medicinal

Native to the United States

Native Range

Central and South America

Native to: Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas

Seasonality

Bloom Season

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Season of Interest

SummerFall

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Companion Planting

Plants well with