Plant library · american-bittersweet
American Bittersweet
Celastrus scandens
Toxic to cats and dogs
A vigorous woody climber grown for its orange autumn berries, which split to show scarlet seeds. Male and female plants are separate — you need both, and only the female fruits.
Toxicity
Toxic Can be serious
Signs, in the ASPCA's words
weakness, convulsions, gastroenteritis (vomiting, diarrhea)
Toxic Can be serious
Signs, in the ASPCA's words
weakness, convulsions, gastroenteritis (vomiting, diarrhea)
Source — ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, toxic and non-toxic plant list; read from this species' own page
Pet-safety information is a general guide from the ASPCA's toxic-plant database and covers cats and dogs only. "If eaten" summarises the symptoms ASPCA lists for that plant; how an animal actually reacts depends on how much it ate and on the animal. It isn't exhaustive, isn't veterinary advice, and individual animals vary — never rely on it as the sole basis for a decision about your pet. If you think your pet has eaten a harmful plant, contact a vet immediately.
Care
- WaterEvery 7–10 days
- LightDirect sun
- HumidityLow humidity
- Temperature-20–28 °C
The same interval the Sabz app schedules reminders from. In autumn and winter the app stretches it; see houseplants in autumn.
Common problems
- No berries at all — needs a male plant nearby to pollinate the female
- Swamping its support — it is genuinely vigorous; prune hard in late winter
- Suckering into the lawn — contain the roots or expect it to travel
In the app
Add a american bittersweet to Sabz and the watering interval above becomes a reminder, the toxicity verdict sits on the plant's own page, and when a leaf turns, the Check-up reads what you have actually logged to say why.
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