Silverleaf Nightshade
Solanum elaeagnifolium
Also listed as Solanum dealbatum, Solanum flavidum
Also known as White Nightshade, Silverleaf Bitter Apple, White Horse-nettle
Climate Match for your location
See how well Silverleaf Nightshade grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
A spiny, drought-tolerant shrub with silvery-gray foliage and small purple or white flowers followed by yellow berries. Highly invasive in warm, arid regions.
Why grow it
Silverleaf nightshade tolerates intense heat and poor soils better than most ornamental shrubs, making it useful where irrigation is limited or soil quality is marginal. Its silvery foliage provides visual contrast in arid landscapes, and the yellow berries attract birds. However, gardeners in warm climates should consider native or non-invasive alternatives that offer similar drought tolerance without the documented spread risk.
Watch out for
The plant's spines make it awkward to handle during pruning or removal. Once established, it can be difficult to eradicate fully, as root fragments may regenerate. In areas where it naturalizes readily, containment through mulching, monitoring for seedlings, or regular cutting back may be necessary to prevent unwanted spread beyond the intended planting area.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Solanaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Mexico and southwestern United States
Native to: Arizona, California, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A spiny, drought-tolerant shrub with silvery-gray foliage and small purple or white flowers followed by yellow berries. Highly invasive in warm, arid regions.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Silverleaf Nightshade grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Silverleaf nightshade tolerates intense heat and poor soils better than most ornamental shrubs, making it useful where irrigation is limited or soil quality is marginal. Its silvery foliage provides visual contrast in arid landscapes, and the yellow berries attract birds. However, gardeners in warm climates should consider native or non-invasive alternatives that offer similar drought tolerance without the documented spread risk.
Watch out for
The plant's spines make it awkward to handle during pruning or removal. Once established, it can be difficult to eradicate fully, as root fragments may regenerate. In areas where it naturalizes readily, containment through mulching, monitoring for seedlings, or regular cutting back may be necessary to prevent unwanted spread beyond the intended planting area.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Solanaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Mexico and southwestern United States
Native to: Arizona, California, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Similar shrubs you might consider:
Enter your ZIP code to see top native species and strong climate fits for you.