Also known as Baneberry · Doll's Eye · Doll's-Eyes
Safety note: This plant may be toxic to humans and pets. See toxicity details.
White Baneberry (Actaea pachypoda) is a woodland perennial featuring striking white berries on red stalks, blooming in late spring to early summer.
At-a-glance light, water, soil, and growing conditions from plant data
Partial to Full Shade
25% intensity
Prefers shady woodland conditions. Avoid direct sunlight, especially in the afternoon, which can scorch the leaves.
Consistent Moisture
50% intensity
Keep soil evenly moist, but avoid waterlogging. Allow the top layer to dry slightly between waterings.
Rich, moist, well-drained soil
50% intensity
Cool to Moderate
50% intensity
Prefers cooler temperatures typical of woodland understories. Protect from extreme heat and drought.
Low
25% intensity
Not a heavy feeder. Apply balanced slow-release fertilizer in spring or amend with compost annually.
Safety information from plant toxicity data
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Toxic for humans | Yes 5/5 intensity |
| Toxic for pets | Yes 5/5 intensity |
| Edible | No |
All parts of the plant are toxic, especially the berries. Contains cardiac glycosides and possibly other toxins that can cause severe gastrointestinal upset, cardiac irregularities, and potentially death.
Key traits and growing stats from plant data
Watering, pruning, propagation, and repotting details from plant data
White Baneberry prefers consistent moisture. Water regularly, especially during dry spells, ensuring the soil remains evenly moist but not waterlogged. Allow the top inch of soil to dry slightly between waterings.
Good drainage is crucial to prevent root rot.
Pruning is generally not required for White Baneberry. Remove any dead, damaged, or diseased stems in late winter or early spring.
Pruning is primarily for aesthetic maintenance or to manage size if it becomes unruly, but natural form is usually preferred.
Propagation is typically done by division of established clumps in early spring or autumn. Seeds can also be collected from the berries, but they require a period of cold stratification to germinate, often taking two years.
Repotting is rarely necessary for White Baneberry as it prefers to be left undisturbed in its preferred shady environment. If division is performed, the divided sections can be replanted directly into their new locations in the garden.
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Monthly activity intensity for bloom and fruit across both hemispheres.
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Photos of White Baneberry (Actaea pachypoda)
Common names and botanical synonyms
Botanical classification
| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Division | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Ranunculales |
| Family | Ranunculaceae |
| Genus | Actaea |
| Species | Actaea pachypoda |
Similar in genus Actaea
Answers based on plant encyclopedia data
