Red Baneberry
Actaea rubra
Also listed as Actaea americana, Christophoriana rubra
Also known as Baneberry, Snakeberry, Western Baneberry
Climate Match for your location
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A woodland perennial with delicate white flowers in spring followed by striking bright red berries in late summer and fall. The glossy foliage and long-lasting berries make it an attractive shade garden plant.
Why grow it
Red baneberry offers reliable shade tolerance and early-season interest in woodland gardens where many perennials struggle. Compared to related species like white baneberry (Actaea alba), the red berry color provides longer visual contrast against foliage through fall. It requires minimal maintenance once established and spreads gradually to fill shaded understory spaces without aggressive spread.
Watch out for
Plants prefer consistently moist soil and may decline in dry shade conditions common under mature tree canopies. Foliage can appear sparse or yellowed if light levels drop below dappled shade, though this is a matter of aesthetic preference rather than plant failure. Seeds may take 18+ months to germinate if collected and sown fresh, so patience is warranted in propagation efforts.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Ranunculaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
North America
Native to: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A woodland perennial with delicate white flowers in spring followed by striking bright red berries in late summer and fall. The glossy foliage and long-lasting berries make it an attractive shade garden plant.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Red Baneberry grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Red baneberry offers reliable shade tolerance and early-season interest in woodland gardens where many perennials struggle. Compared to related species like white baneberry (Actaea alba), the red berry color provides longer visual contrast against foliage through fall. It requires minimal maintenance once established and spreads gradually to fill shaded understory spaces without aggressive spread.
Watch out for
Plants prefer consistently moist soil and may decline in dry shade conditions common under mature tree canopies. Foliage can appear sparse or yellowed if light levels drop below dappled shade, though this is a matter of aesthetic preference rather than plant failure. Seeds may take 18+ months to germinate if collected and sown fresh, so patience is warranted in propagation efforts.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Ranunculaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
North America
Native to: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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