perennialN. America Native

Carolina Horsenettle

Solanum carolinense

The Story

Plant Bio

Solanum carolinense is an erect, loosely branched herbaceous perennial native to the southeastern and south-central United States. It spreads aggressively via a deep network of horizontal rhizomes and vertical taproots, making it highly persistent once established.

The stems and leaf veins are heavily armed with sharp, yellowish prickles and covered in star-shaped hairs. In summer, it produces star-shaped white to pale violet flowers with prominent yellow central cones, followed by toxic yellow berries.

Uses & Benefits:

Provides simple white to pale violet star-shaped flowers with contrasting yellow cones.

Serves as a study specimen in herbaria or specialized weed collections due to its high persistence and defense mechanisms.

Flowers are buzz-pollinated by native bumblebees, and the plant hosts specialized insects like the false potato beetle.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Perennial

Height

47"

Width

35"

Light

Full Sun

Zones

5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Water

Low

Humidity

Moderate to High

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

North America

Toxicity

Highly Toxic

Bloom period

Late spring – Early fall

In flower about 5 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a site with full sun and well-drained soil, as this species is highly intolerant of dense shade.
Sow seeds directly into sandy or clay loam soils during early spring after the danger of frost has passed.
Establish physical root barriers if planting in a controlled collection to prevent the creeping rhizomes from spreading.
Water sparingly during the establishment phase, as the deep taproot quickly provides high drought tolerance.

Pro Tip

Never attempt to dig out established plants bare-handed or without removing every root fragment; any remaining rhizome pieces will rapidly regenerate into new shoots.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Wear heavy leather gloves whenever handling the plant to protect against the sharp prickles.
Cut back dead top growth to the ground in late winter or early spring.
Contain the root system using deep pots or root barriers if grown for study.

Don't

Do not apply supplemental fertilizer, as the plant thrives and spreads rapidly in low-fertility soils.
Do not plant in poorly drained areas or soils prone to waterlogging.
Do not allow the yellow berries to mature if you wish to prevent aggressive self-seeding.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Deadhead
Pest Check
Propagate
Spring Cleanup

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Wilderness RestorationNaturalized AreasSpecialized Botanical Collections

Companion Plants

Echinacea purpurea Asclepias tuberosa

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Carolina Horsenettle questions

What zones can Carolina Horsenettle grow in?

Carolina Horsenettle is hardy in USDA Zones 5–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

When does Carolina Horsenettle bloom?

Carolina Horsenettle typically blooms in late spring through early fall. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Carolina Horsenettle need full sun?

Carolina Horsenettle does best in full sun (6+ hours).

Is Carolina Horsenettle drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Carolina Horsenettle handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.