Why You Should Never Plant Nandina Shrubs, According to Bird Experts

If you're a bird lover, you likely delight in watching these winged creatures flock to your landscape to feed. But there is a plant you may be growing that can be potentially dangerous to birds—nandina. The shrub, albeit beautiful, produces berries that pose a threat to certain bird species. Ahead, experts explain what you need to know about nandina and how to keep the wildlife in your area safe from it.

What Is Nandina?

Nandina  (Nandina domestica), also known as heavenly bamboo or sacred bamboo, is an upright evergreen shrub in the barberry family. The plant has bamboo-like features with layers of lance-shaped leaves that transition from green to reddish-purple during fall and winter. The leaves are attached to straight cane-like stems. Nandina flowers in late spring and produces ornamental berries in fall that last through winter. It is native to central and southern China and Japan, but was brought to North America in the early 1800s.

Is Nandina an Invasive Plant?

Nandina is considered an invasive species—a species that displaces native plant populations—in many parts of the U.S. (especially in the South). It is a quick grower that can reproduce by both seed and root fragments. If you're not careful, it can become a major nuisance for gardeners.

Are Nandina Berries Toxic to Birds?

In large amounts, nandina berries can be toxic to certain bird species, including cedar waxwings, Eastern bluebirds, northern mockingbirds, and American robins, says Hardy Kern, director of government relations, pesticides and birds campaign for the American Bird Conservancy. "The berries are rich in alkaloids and naturally-occurring cyanide, which these native bird species have not developed a resistance to, unlike the species of birds found in nandina’s native geographic range," Kern says. Birds may gorge on nandina berries in the fall and winter when other foods are in short supply.

In addition to birds, nandina berries can also be toxic to some other wild and domestic animals, including dogs, cats, horses, and sheep, says Tod Winston, birding guide and urban biodiversity specialist for New York City Audubon.

How to Protect Birds From Nandina Berries

Consider taking these precautions if you want to protect the birds and other animals in your area from eating nandina berries.

Remove Your Shrub

The best way to protect local wildlife from being poisoned by nandina berries is to avoid planting the shrub altogether. If it's already on your property, the best course of action is to remove the shrub and plant something else in its place. As an invasive species, removing nandina may also benefit native plants in your landscape.

Stop Berry Production

As a short-term measure, if you can't remove your nandina shrub, you can prune its sprigs of white flowers in the spring to prevent the plant from producing the toxic fruit, says Winston.

Plant a Sterile Variety

If you love the look of nandina, consider growing a sterile or non-fruiting variety instead. These do not produce the poisonous berries and are less likely to become invasive, says Winston.

Alternatives to Growing Nandina

There are several beneficial native plant species you can grow in place of nandina. Many of these varieties still have nandina's lush evergreen foliage but produce berries that are nutritious for birds, says Winston. "In the east and midwest, consider native shrubs or trees in the holly family, such as Winterberry Holly (Ilex glabra) and American Holly (Ilex opaca)," he says. "In the west, similar species native to your area may include Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia) and Buffaloberry (Shepherdia argentea or Shepherdia canadensis). In the south, Yaupon Holly (Ilex vomitoria) or Dahoon Holly (Ilex cassine) are both great options."