Growing Guide: American Beautyberry

How to Grow American Beautyberry Plants

Grow your own natural mosquito repellent! American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) is a wonderful, large fast-growing under story shrub with a naturally loose and graceful arching form. In the fall and early winter, the branches are laden with magenta purple (sometimes white) berry clusters that look spectacular as the leaves drop in autumn.

The American Beautyberry is native to the Southeastern United States, from Texas to Virginia, and is beloved by wildlife across the region, from native birds to deer, for whom it is an important source of protein and moisture.

Although all parts of the Beautyberry plant are useful, from the berries to roots, the flowering shrub is most commonly cultivated for it's leaves, at least here in Florida, as an effective mosquito repellent! Beautyberry contains two chemicals that are shown to repel bugs: callicarpenal and andintermedeol.

Beautyberry plants grow wild alongside shady oak hammock trails and in the summer, we've been known to harvest during our hike and carry it along with us to help keep unwanted bugs at bay.

Plant Type
Perennial Deciduous Herb

Native Region

Southeastern United States, from Texas to Virginia, and is beloved by wildlife across the region, from native birds to deer, for whom it is an important source of protein and moisture.

Common Names
Callicarpa americana, American Beautyberry, French Mulberry, Sourbush, Bunchberry, or Purple beauty-berry. In Greek, the genus name Callicarpa means callos, “beauty” and carpos “fruit”.

Traditional Uses
In the early 20th century, farmers would rub crushed Beautyberry leaves on themselves and place them under their horses harnesses to repel mosquitoes and biting bugs. The roots, leaves, and branches of Beautyberry were used by various Native American tribes to treat malarial fevers, stomachaches and colic. 

Harvest Season
Fall, Winter
Beautyberry blooms from late spring to mid-summer (May, June, July) and produces beautiful clusters of magenta berries from fall to early winter

Mature Size
On average, Beautyberry grows 3-6 ft tall and 4-6 ft wide. In the right conditions it can reach heights of 10 ft by 8 ft.  It can be cut to 12" above the base each winter to encourage more compact growth, flowers and fruit. It can also be left to mature naturally into a tall woody shrub.

Soil & Moisture
Moist, well-draining soil. Beautyberry is native to the Southeastern United States, from Texas to West Virginia, and is suitable for many different growing conditions.

Light Requirements
Part Shade, Shade

Self-Fertile
Yes

Growth Rate
Fast 

Zone Hardiness
Outdoors 5-10; Patio/Greenhouse 4+

The shrub may temporarily defoliate and lose developing fruit during periods of prolonged summer drought.

Grow Your Own American Beautyberry Plants