Deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna)
Care, watering, light and tips for Deadly nightshade on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Solanaceae
- Difficulty: Demanding
- Watering: every 3 days
- Light: Full sun
- Temperature: 10–35 °C
- Toxicity: Toxic to pets
About Deadly nightshade
Atropa belladonna, commonly known as deadly nightshade, is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the Solanaceae family, renowned for its glossy berries and inconspicuous bell-shaped flowers. It can grow up to 1.5 meters tall, featuring oval leaves and branching stems. Although highly toxic, it has historically been cultivated in medicinal or botanical gardens for its ethnobotanical and pharmacological interest, always with extreme caution.
Native range
Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia
Care tips
It thrives in partial to full shade and prefers rich, well-draining, slightly alkaline soils. Watering should be regular to keep the substrate consistently moist but not waterlogged, especially during dry spells. A common mistake to avoid is handling the plant without gloves, as all its parts are poisonous and can cause irritation or poisoning through contact.
How to save a dying Deadly nightshade
- Warning signs
- Yellowing or wilting leaves, soft stems, stunted growth.
- First aid
- Check soil moisture, repot if pot is too small/big, prune damaged leaves and branches.
- What kills it
- Constant waterlogging, insufficient light, or handling without gloves (it's highly toxic).
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if acted upon quickly and growing conditions are corrected in time.