Black Mulberry Plant Care

Black Mulberry (Morus nigra) belongs to the Moraceae family within the Morus genus. Black Mulberry is native to southwestern Asia. Black Mulberry is also known as Mulberry, Persian Mulberry.

Black Mulberry displays a fast-growing small tree growth habit, reaching up to 25 ft tall with a spread of approximately 20 ft. Black Mulberry produces inconspicuous green flowers followed by edible red to black berries.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Black Mulberry every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Black Mulberry thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Morus nigra tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F. Black Mulberry prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Black Mulberry to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Black Mulberry every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Black Mulberry is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Black Mulberry can spread to about 20 ft (6.1 m) and reach about 25 ft (8 m) tall. Space plants about 20 ft (6.1 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Black Mulberry while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Black Mulberry is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Black Mulberry can be propagated through cuttings, layering, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to white mulberry plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Black Mulberry is susceptible to aphids, scales, caterpillars. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Black Mulberry grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Black Mulberry is native to southwestern Asia. In cooler regions, grow Black Mulberry as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.