Black mulberry Morus nigra
Black mulberry (Morus nigra) is a deciduous perennial fruit plant in the Moraceae family, native to South-west Asia (the Iran region). It grows 6–10 m (20–33 ft) tall and 6–9 m (20–30 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -18 °C (0 °F). Space plants about 7 m (23 ft) apart.
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Black mulberry at a glance
| Type | Perennial fruit plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Moraceae |
| Mature height | 6–10 m (20–33 ft) |
| Mature spread | 6–9 m (20–30 ft) |
| Spacing | 7 m (23 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 7 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -18 °C (0 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 6) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | from about April for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | None |
| Edible | Yes: berries, leaves (tea) |
| Native to | South-west Asia (the Iran region) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇬🇷 Greece, 🇹🇷 Turkey, 🇮🇷 Iran, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇵🇹 Portugal, 🇫🇷 France, 🇮🇱 Israel |
Is Black mulberry toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: unripe fruit, milky sap
Unripe berries and the milky sap can upset the stomach and irritate skin.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Black mulberry
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Questions about Black mulberry
- How far apart should I plant Black mulberry?
- About 7 m (23 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 6–9 m (20–30 ft).
- Does Black mulberry need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 7 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Black mulberry need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Black mulberry?
- It tolerates about -18 °C (0 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 6.
- When does Black mulberry flower?
- From about April for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Black mulberry poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people mildly toxic. Unripe berries and the milky sap can upset the stomach and irritate skin.
- What grows well with Black mulberry?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Black mulberry. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- Plants For A Future database, PFAF
- GRIN-Global Taxonomy, USDA ARS
Notes and assumptions
- Slow, gnarled and long-lived; the richest-flavoured mulberry, with staining dark berries. A tree of old English and Mediterranean gardens.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Common fig Ficus carica
- White mulberry Morus alba
- Rubber fig Ficus elastica
- Chinese banyan Ficus microcarpa
- Jackfruit Artocarpus heterophyllus
- Sacred fig (peepal, bodhi tree) Ficus religiosa
- Indian banyan Ficus benghalensis
- Sycamore fig Ficus sycomorus