Is American Bittersweet safe for pets?

No, American Bittersweet (Celastrus Scandens) is toxic to cats and dogs. Keep it out of reach of pets.

Is American Bittersweet easy to care for?

American Bittersweet has a medium care difficulty rating. It requires medium watering and full_sun or partial_shade light.

Can American Bittersweet grow indoors?

American Bittersweet is primarily an outdoor plant and may not thrive indoors without specialized conditions.

American Bittersweet (Celastrus Scandens) is a perennial vine in the Celastraceae family with moderate care difficulty. It requires moderate watering and full sun or partial shade light in USDA hardiness zones 3-8. This plant is toxic to cats and dogs — keep it out of reach of pets.

A deciduous, twining woody vine known for its showy red berries and green flowers.

Last updated: February 2026

American Bittersweet

Celastrus Scandens

A deciduous, twining woody vine known for its showy red berries and green flowers.

Quick Facts

Type

vine

Lifecycle

perennial

Care Difficulty

Moderate

Water Needs

Moderate

Light

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Hardiness Zones

3-8

Safety

⚠️

Not Pet Safe

⚠️

Not Child Safe

☠️

Toxic

Growing Conditions

Soil Types:loamy, sandy, gravelly

Indoor:No

Outdoor:Yes

Garden Use:ornamental, wildlife habitat, climbing vine

Care Calendar

Monthly care tasks for American Bittersweet

Jan

Prune

Feb

Fertilize

Mar

Repot

Apr

Water+

May

...

Jun

...

Jul

...

Aug

...

Sep

...

Oct

...

Nov

...

Dec

...

Expert Care Tips

Pro tips from botanists and plant experts

Watering Tip

Check soil moisture by inserting your finger 1 inch deep. Water only when the top layer feels dry to prevent overwatering.

Humidity Trick

Group plants together to create...

Growth Hack

Rotate your plant every...

Photo Gallery10+ photos

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Taxonomy

Family:Celastraceae

Genus:Celastrus