Glossy privet

Ligustrum lucidum

Family: OleaceaeZones: 7a-10b per NC State Plant Toolbox

Pet & Human Safety

Toxic to people and pets

Hazardous parts

fruits, leaves

Preparation

none; do not eat

Hazard type

ingestion toxicity, airborne pollen allergy

Hazard route

ingestion

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Toxic to pets

Dogs: NC State says eating the berries or leaves can harm them (severity medium). Cats and horses: not stated for Ligustrum lucidum itself. ASPCA has no page for this species, but its Wax-leaf (L. japonicum) and Common Privet (L. vulgare) pages list dogs, cats and horses as affected, so treat this species as hazardous to dogs, cats and horses. CONABIO links the plant to livestock poisoning.

PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

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Care

Hardiness zones: USDA 7a-10b per NC State Plant Toolbox
Light: Full sun to part shade (2 to 6+ hours of direct sun)
Water needs: low
Mature size: US NCState: attribute list 15-50 ft tall, 8-15 ft wide; description says usually 12-15 ft as a shrub and about 30 ft if trained as a tree; MX CONABIO: up to 15 m tall

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

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