How to Grow American Elderberry Shrub Indoors

The american elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) is a popular shrub known for its showy spring flowers and tasty summer berries. Typically grown outdoors, the american elderberry can also be grown successfully as a container plant indoors with the right care. Here are some tips for growing a healthy american elderberry shrub inside your home.

Choosing a Pot

Select a large pot, at minimum 15 inches wide and deep. Remember that the elderberry’s roots will need adequate room to spread out. Terra cotta, wood, or plastic pots are suitable choices. Ensure the pot has several drainage holes at the bottom to prevent waterlogged soil which the elderberry cannot tolerate. For extra drainage, place a layer of gravel or styrofoam peanuts at the bottom of the pot below the soil. A pot with breather holes along the sides is also beneficial for increased air circulation to the elderberry’s roots.

The Right Potting Soil

Your container grown american elderberry will thrive in a rich, fertile, and fast-draining potting mix Look for a quality all-purpose potting soil, or make your own mix containing compost plus perlite or builder’s sand to improve drainage. You can also add a bit of peat moss or coco coir to help retain some moisture The soil should be loose and crumbly, not compacted. Test drainage by watering the mix – water should pass through quickly, not puddle.

Provide Bright Light

American elderberry plants need ample sunlight to flower and fruit properly. Indoors, place your elderberry near a bright south or west facing window where it will get direct sun for at least 6 hours daily. Slow growth and sparse flowering indicates your plant needs more light. You can also provide supplemental lighting with full spectrum grow lights. Use the red/blue light combo or a full spectrum white light. Keep lights 4-12 inches above the top of the plant for 14-16 hours daily.

Ideal Temperatures

American elderberries grow best with daytime house temperatures of 65-80°F and nights around 60°F They can tolerate brief drops to 50°F at night Avoid drafty locations and protect the plant from heater and AC vents blowing directly on it, A sunny kitchen or enclosed porch where the elderberry won’t experience temperature extremes works well, Moving it outside in warm weather and back in for winter is an option too,

Watering Needs

Your container grown american elderberry requires consistently moist but well-drained soil during the growing season. Water whenever the top inch of soil becomes dry. Increase watering frequency in hot weather. Reduce watering in winter but don’t let the soil totally dry out. Water thoroughly until it drains from the pot’s bottom holes. Don’t leave the pot sitting in water for drainage. Drooping leaves often indicate under watering.

Humidity & Air Flow

American elderberries appreciate moderate humidity around 40-60%. Mist the leaves occasionally or use a pebble tray to boost humidity around the plant. Avoid over-wetting the foliage which can encourage fungal leaf spot diseases. Place your indoor elderberry near a sunny window where some gentle air circulation will reach it. A small fan periodically oscillating nearby can also enhance air flow. Good air circulation keeps the foliage healthy.

Fertilizer Needs

Feed container grown american elderberries monthly through the growing season with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength. Look for options suitable for edible gardens. Discontinue fertilizing around early autumn to help trigger dormancy. In spring, resume feeding every 2-4 weeks using an organic granular fertilizer like fish emulsion scratch lightly into the soil surface before watering in.

Pruning Your Indoor Shrub

Some judicious pruning keeps your potted american elderberry shapely and productive. In late winter, remove any dead wood or crossing/damaged branches using sharp bypass pruners. Elderberries flower on new wood, so light annual pruning encourages more new growth and flowers. Remove suckers sprouting from the roots as they appear to maintain the shrub form. Always sterilize pruners between cuts with isopropyl alcohol.

Pollinating the Flowers

Outdoors elderberry flowers are pollinated by wind, beneficial insects, and hummingbirds. Indoors you will need to hand pollinate the blossoms to get berries. Use a small soft paintbrush to gently brush inside each flower cluster to transfer pollen. Or you can use an electric toothbrush on the lowest setting held near the flower heads to vibrate and release pollen for self-pollination.

Harvesting the Berries

Once pollinated flowers give way to clusters of elderberries, be patient and allow them to fully ripen on the branches to full dark purple. Use scissors to snip off entire berry clusters when the fruits are soft and juicy looking. Don’t pick individual berries or they tend to squash. Fresh elderberries don’t store well, so use them right away in recipes or spread clusters on parchment to freeze before removing and storing the frozen berries.

Ensure Adequate Winter Dormancy

American elderberries need a cold dormant period each winter with minimal watering and temperatures below 50°F for at least 2-3 months. A cool garage or basement works well. Allow the soil to partially dry out. Resume growing conditions in early spring. Insufficient dormancy can prevent flower bud formation and fruiting the following season.

Growing american elderberries indoors as container plants allows you to enjoy their ornamental qualities and tasty berries year-round. Follow these tips to successfully provide the light, soil, moisture, humidity, and dormancy this shrub needs to thrive inside your home. With the right care, your potted american elderberry will grace your living spaces with lush greenery, delicate flowers, and abundant elderberries.