Oriental bittersweet
Celastrus orbiculatus
Also called Celastrus, Staff vine and Climbing bittersweet
Garden plant · ClimbersIT STRANGLES TREES — the stems thicken and spiral until they girdle whatever they went up, and it is a listed invasive across much of North America. Grow it on a post you do not mind losing, never into anything living.
Care at a glance
- Ease
- Easy
- Water
- Every 12 daysDrench and drain — water the whole surface until it runs from the holes.
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade
- Feed
- Not needed
- Humidity
- Low
- Hardiness
- Hardy — a very cold winter RHS H6, to -20°C
- Size
- 12 m tall · 4 m across
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Origin
- East Asia
Is it safe for pets and people?
Affects dogs, cats, horses. Signs: vomiting and diarrhoea; the bright orange-and-red fruit is exactly what a child picks up. Not listed under its own name — this follows Celastrus scandens, which is.
The berries and the seeds inside them.
Checked against ASPCA and RHS on 2026-09-22.
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.