Red Elderberry Plant Care

Red Elderberry (Sambucus racemosa) belongs to the Viburnaceae family within the Sambucus genus. Red Elderberry is native to North America, Europe, Asia. Red Elderberry is also known as Racemose Elderberry, Elderberry, red-berried elder.

Red Elderberry displays a large deciduous shrub growth habit, reaching up to 15 ft tall with a spread of approximately 10 ft. Red Elderberry produces clusters of small, fragrant white flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Red Elderberry every 7–10 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.

Red Elderberry thrives in full sun to part shade.

Sambucus racemosa tolerates temperatures of 50–90°F. Red Elderberry prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Rich, moist, well-draining soil with plenty of organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Red Elderberry to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Red Elderberry 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 part shade and rich, moist, well-draining soil with plenty of organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Red Elderberry 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.

Red Elderberry can spread to about 10 ft (3 m) and reach about 15 ft (5 m) tall. Space plants about 10 ft (3 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 Red Elderberry 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.

Red Elderberry 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.

Red Elderberry can be propagated through softwood cuttings, hardwood cuttings, seeds.

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

Red Elderberry is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, borers. 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.

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