Daphne
Daphne odora
Also called Winter daphne
Garden plant · ShrubsNever move it and never dig near it. Daphne resents root disturbance and can die back for no visible reason a season later.
Care at a glance
- Ease
- Hard
- Water
- Once a weekWater the ground — water at the base, in the morning, not over the leaves.
- Light
- Part shade, sheltered from wind
- Feed
- Every 45 days
- Humidity
- Average
- Hardiness
- Hardy — an average winter RHS H4, to -10°C
- Size
- 1.25 m tall · 1.25 m across
- Lifecycle
- Shrub
- Origin
- China and Japan
Is it safe for pets and people?
PetsToxic to pets
No animal-poison authority lists this plant. Flagged unsafe on a people-toxicity source, which is the cautious reading rather than a checked one.
PeopleHarmful if eaten, and irritates skin
All parts, the berries most of all.
HandlingTake care handling it
The sap irritates skin. RHS puts it in category B — toxic if eaten, and a skin irritant.
Checked against ASPCA and RHS on 2026-08-03.
A guide, not veterinary or medical advice. If a pet or a person has eaten a plant and you are worried, call your vet or doctor now — don’t wait for signs to appear. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.