What soil does White mulberry grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, clay, sandy, calcareous.

Is White mulberry hardy?

Hardy down to -29 °C (USDA zone 4, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

Is White mulberry toxic to dogs?

No. Reliable sources list it as non-toxic to dogs.

Is White mulberry toxic to cats?

No. Reliable sources list it as non-toxic to cats.

Is White mulberry toxic to children?

Yes, it is mildly toxic to children.

How far from the house should White mulberry be planted?

Plant it at least 6 m from buildings. Keep it at least 4 m from paving.

How much water does White mulberry need?

Water need: low. Drought tolerance: high.

How much does White mulberry cost?

It sells for roughly €3.30 to €220 in local shops, depending on size.

White mulberry

Morus alba

White mulberry (Morus alba) is a fruit plant. Light: full sun, part shade. Hardy down to -29 °C. Drought tolerance: high. Non-toxic to dogs and cats, mildly toxic to children. Sold in local shops from about €3.30.

Illustration of White mulberry — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

A fast-growing, tough, wide-crowned tree that copes with heat, drought, chalky soil and city air, and in early summer drops sweet white, pink or dark mulberries for weeks. It makes a good shade and climbing tree, but keep it away from terraces, paths and parking spots: fallen fruit and bird droppings are sticky and stain, and its strong shallow roots can lift paving. Cultivars sold for fruit usually crop on their own without a partner, whereas seed-raised trees may turn out male, which bear no fruit and shed strongly allergenic pollen.

Watch out for

The main problem is mess: female trees and fruiting cultivars shed soft mulberries continuously from June to July; they stick to shoes and attract wasps, and the fruit of dark-fruited trees, along with the droppings of birds that eat it, leaves lasting stains on paving, cars and garden furniture. If you do not want the fruit, choose a fruitless cultivar near hard surfaces, but be aware that the pollen of male trees is a strong allergen. Birds spread the seed, so many seedlings come up in the garden and nearby and are best pulled while small. Its shallow, far-reaching roots can lift pavements and enter drains, so plant it at least 6 to 8 metres from buildings and pipes. In Central Europe the webs of fall webworm caterpillars often strip the foliage, and white peach scale, bacterial blight and powdery mildew also occur. Prune when leafless in late autumn or winter, because it bleeds heavily in spring.

Key facts

Light: Full sun, Part shade
Water need: Low
Care: Medium
Size after 10 years: 6 m × 5 m
Hardiness: down to -29 °C
Foliage: Deciduous

Group	Fruit
Light	Full sun, Part shade
Size after 10 years	6 m × 5 m
Ultimate size	9–18 m × 6–15 m
Hardiness	down to -29 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Clay, Sandy, Calcareous
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	April–June, green, yellow
Harvest	June–July
Self-fertile	yes
Water need	Low
Drought tolerance	High
Maintenance	Medium
Root aggressiveness	High
Suckering	no
Spreading	High
Distance from buildings	at least 6 m
Distance from paving	at least 4 m
Litter	Fruit
Planting distance	800 cm
For dogs	Non-toxic
For cats	Non-toxic
For children	Mildly toxic
Typical price	from about €3.30

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
100-125 cm	approx. €3.30
125-150 cm	approx. €4.60
150-175 cm	approx. €7.90
200 cm	approx. €130
size not stated	approx. €17 – €220

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 8, 2026 · How our data is made

Appears in these lists

Drought-tolerant plants Drought-tolerant plants for sandy soil Plants that are non-toxic to dogs Plants that are non-toxic to cats Plants that give shade Fruit trees and bushes Plants with autumn colour Plants with edible fruit

Looks good next to it

Sea thrift

Armeria maritima

Swedish cotoneaster

Cotoneaster × suecicus

Irish juniper

Juniperus communis 'Hibernica'