Inkberry is grown for its foliage and the structure it brings to a planting. It's hardy across USDA zones 6 through 12 and shrugs off deer. Its spring flowers are a moderate draw for honeybees and native bees.
Zones
6-12
pH Range
4.5-7
Sun
Full Sun
Days to Maturity
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Score Inkberry on your exact land.
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What Inkberry is
Inkberry grows as a perennial and reaches around eight feet at maturity. It blooms white in spring. It's also deer-resistant.
How to grow Inkberry
Inkberry grows in USDA zones 6 through 12. Inkberry does best in full sun — at least 6 hours of direct sun a day — and soil from pH 4.5 to 7, on well-drained ground. It needs about 400 hours of winter chill, which is why climate matters as much as soil.
USDA Zones
6-12
USDA PHZM 2023
Soil pH
4.5 - 7
USDA PLANTS Database
Sun
Full Sun
plant_species_v5.csv
Drainage
well (dry spells)
plant_species_v5.csv
Frost Tolerance
-13°F
plant_species_v5.csv
Mature Height
8 ft
plant_species_v5.csv
Chill Hours
400+
plant_species_v5.csv
Frost-Free Days
0+
plant_species_v5.csv
Start the season right
Plant inkberry in full sun with at least 6 hours of direct sun, once the soil has warmed and frost risk has passed.
Match the soil
Inkberry prefers pH 4.5 to 7 (USDA PLANTS Database). A quick soil test from your local Extension lab tells you whether to add lime or sulfur to land in band.
Water steadily
Keep the root zone evenly moist through establishment. A 2–3 inch mulch layer holds moisture without waterlogging.
Keep it in good form
Prune inkberry to shape as it grows; the reward is its foliage and structure, not a harvest, so steady upkeep is the whole job.
Good to know
One caution for pet owners — inkberry is toxic to dogs and cats (mild severity). Keep it out of reach, and call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 in an emergency. (Source: ASPCA.)
Inkberry offers moderate value to bees and other pollinators. (Source: Xerces Society, Pollinator Partnership.)
Where Inkberry thrives
Inkberry is hardy across USDA zones 6 through 12. Zone is only the starting point, though: the soil pH, drainage, and frost dates on your specific land decide how well it actually does.
Zones 6–12·Where Inkberry growsOpen map →
On USDA hardiness-zone overlap, Inkberry can grow in these states:
See if Inkberry will thrive on your land
Zone averages are a start. Your exact soil pH, drainage, sun exposure, and frost dates shape whether inkberry actually takes — we score it against the real conditions at your address.
Three things about your exact spot that zone averages miss:
We read public map data for this spot — soil, climate, flood, and parcel records. How we handle your address.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I grow Inkberry in my zone?
Inkberry grows in USDA hardiness zones 6 through 12 (USDA PHZM 2023). Zone is one factor — soil pH, drainage, and frost dates on your specific parcel also shape whether it takes.
When should you plant Inkberry?
Most growers plant inkberry after the last spring frost, once the soil has warmed. Your local frost dates set the exact window — a Growable Ground report reads them for your address.
How much sun does Inkberry need?
Inkberry needs full sun — a spot that catches at least 6 hours of direct summer sun a day. In more shade it still grows, but usually gives a smaller, later crop. The catch is that a yard rarely gets even light everywhere — a fence, the house, or one tall tree can quietly take those hours. A Growable Ground report reads the real sun-hours across your land, canopy and buildings included, so you can pick the brightest bed before you plant.
What soil does Inkberry need?
Inkberry prefers soil pH 4.5 to 7, on well-drained ground (USDA PLANTS Database). Your report scores your parcel's actual soil against that using USDA SSURGO data.
Does Inkberry attract pollinators?
Yes — inkberry's flowers are a solid nectar source for honeybees and native bees (Xerces Society, Pollinator Partnership).
Is Inkberry safe for pets?
Inkberry is toxic to pets (dogs,cats) with mild severity. Keep it out of reach, and call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 in an emergency.