Japanese Elderberry Plant Care

Japanese Elderberry (Sambucus sieboldiana var. pinnatisecta) belongs to the Viburnaceae family within the Sambucus genus. Japanese Elderberry is also known as Elderberry.

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

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Japanese 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.

Japanese Elderberry thrives in full sun to part shade.

Sambucus sieboldiana var. pinnatisecta tolerates temperatures of 0–90°F. Japanese Elderberry prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

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

Feed Japanese 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.

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.

Japanese 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 Japanese 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.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown trees need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Japanese Elderberry can be propagated through softwood cuttings, hardwood cuttings, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to american elderberry plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Japanese 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.