Deadly Nightshade Plant Care

Deadly Nightshade (Atropa bella-donna) belongs to the Solanaceae family within the Atropa genus. Deadly Nightshade is native to Europe and Western Asia, including Turkey, its distribution extending from England in the west to western Ukraine and the Iranian province of Gilan in the east. Deadly Nightshade is also known as Belladonna.

Deadly Nightshade displays an upright, branching shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Deadly Nightshade produces bell-shaped purple to brown flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Deadly Nightshade every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Deadly Nightshade thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Atropa bella-donna tolerates temperatures of 60–75°F. Deadly Nightshade prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Rich, well-draining soil with high organic matter content. Good drainage is essential for Deadly Nightshade to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Deadly Nightshade every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs 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 rich, well-draining soil with high organic matter content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Deadly Nightshade is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

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

Deadly Nightshade can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 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 plant spacing calculator.

Prune Deadly Nightshade 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 shrub in one year.

Deadly Nightshade is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Deadly Nightshade can be propagated through seeds, root division.

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

Deadly Nightshade is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. 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.

Deadly Nightshade grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Deadly Nightshade is native to Europe and Western Asia, including Turkey, its distribution extending from England in the west to western Ukraine and the Iranian province of Gilan in the east. In cooler regions, grow Deadly Nightshade as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.