How far apart should I plant Hardy fuchsia?

About 90 cm (35 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 80 cm–1.5 m (31 in–4.9 ft).

Does Hardy fuchsia need full sun?

Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.

How much water does Hardy fuchsia need?

Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance low.

How cold-hardy is Hardy fuchsia?

It tolerates about -15 °C (5 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 7.

When does Hardy fuchsia flower?

From about June for 14–19 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).

Is Hardy fuchsia poisonous to cats and dogs?

For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Listed as non-toxic by ASPCA; the berries are edible but bland.

What grows well with Hardy fuchsia?

There is no well-documented companion pairing for Hardy fuchsia. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).

Hardy fuchsia Fuchsia magellanica

Hardy fuchsia (Fuchsia magellanica) is a deciduous perennial shrub in the Onagraceae family, native to Chile and Argentina (Patagonian Andes). It grows 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft) tall and 80 cm–1.5 m (31 in–4.9 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -15 °C (5 °F). Space plants about 90 cm (35 in) apart.

Plan Hardy fuchsia in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.

Hardy fuchsia at a glance

Type	Perennial shrub, deciduous
Family	Onagraceae
Mature height	1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft)
Mature spread	80 cm–1.5 m (31 in–4.9 ft)
Spacing	90 cm (35 in) centre to centre
Sun	Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day
Water	Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance low
Soil pH	5.5–7
Cold hardiness	About -15 °C (5 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 7)
Heat stress	Likely above about 28 °C (82 °F)
Flowering	from about June for 14–19 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones)
Wind tolerance	Low
Pollinator value	High
Edible	Yes: berries
Native to	Chile and Argentina (Patagonian Andes)
Common in gardens of	🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇵🇪 Peru, 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇨🇱 Chile, 🇨🇴 Colombia, 🇮🇪 Ireland
Invasive in	Hawaii (US), New Zealand (locally): check local rules before planting

Is Hardy fuchsia toxic?

People: not known to be toxic
Cats: not known to be toxic
Dogs: not known to be toxic

Listed as non-toxic by ASPCA; the berries are edible but bland.

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 Hardy fuchsia

No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.

See Hardy fuchsia in a botanical garden

It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:

UC Botanical Garden, Berkeley (5 plants)
The Butchart Gardens (6 plants)
Arctic-Alpine Botanic Garden (6 plants)
Kew: glasshouses and rock garden (3 plants)

Questions about Hardy fuchsia

How far apart should I plant Hardy fuchsia?: About 90 cm (35 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 80 cm–1.5 m (31 in–4.9 ft).
Does Hardy fuchsia need full sun?: Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
How much water does Hardy fuchsia need?: Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance low.
How cold-hardy is Hardy fuchsia?: It tolerates about -15 °C (5 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 7.
When does Hardy fuchsia flower?: From about June for 14–19 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
Is Hardy fuchsia poisonous to cats and dogs?: For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Listed as non-toxic by ASPCA; the berries are edible but bland.
What grows well with Hardy fuchsia?: There is no well-documented companion pairing for Hardy fuchsia. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).

Sources and evidence

Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).

RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden

Notes and assumptions

Typical garden-form values; cultivars and local conditions differ.
Dies back to the base in hard winters and regrows from the roots; mulch the crown. Hardiness varies by cultivar.

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

Missouri evening primrose (bigfruit evening primrose) Oenothera macrocarpa
California fuchsia (hummingbird trumpet) Epilobium canum
Bigleaf hydrangea Hydrangea macrophylla
Rhododendron Rhododendron
Boxwood Buxus sempervirens
Oleander Nerium oleander
Common ninebark Physocarpus opulifolius
Camellia Camellia japonica