This plant is problematic, and alternatives should be considered. Please see the suggestions in the left-hand column. Chinese privet is an evergreen or semi-evergreen shrub in the olive family (Oleaceae) and is native to Asia. It was introduced to this country in 1852 as an ornamental but has become invasive, especially in the eastern and southern USA. The species epithet is Latin for “of China.” This shrub can grow 6 to 15 feet tall and wide and tolerates various soils. It prefers full sun but tolerates partial shade. This aggressive shrub is capable of overtaking native plants and becoming a monoculture. It produces many seeds and also spreads by suckers creating thickets. Once established, it is very difficult to eradicate. This plant flowers in the late spring and its malodorous flowers are offensive to many people. The purple drupes that follow are eaten by birds and mammals further helping to spread the seeds. The plant can be pruned, however, keep in mind that next year's blossoms will appear on new growth. Chinese privet is not recommended for gardens or landscapes. Please consider native or less problematic plants listed at left. Quick ID Hints: Opposite, elliptic, small, thin leaves are 1 to 2 inches long. Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: Whiteflies, Japanese and ligustrum weevils, white peach scale and privet rust mites are common insect problems. Anthracnose, twig blight, cankers, powdery mildew and root rot are common disease problems.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Often confused withIlex vomitoriaLigustrum sinense 'Variegatum'
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil pH
Alkaline (>8.0)
Mature size
Height: 6 ft. 6 in. - 15 ft. 0 in. | Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
High
Canopy layer
2 - Understory (15-40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Mounding; Rounded; Spreading
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen; Semi-evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Oblong
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Papery; Smooth
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Leaves are opposite, simple, elliptic to elliptic-oblong, entire, not coriaceous, glossy, and dark green. They grow 1 to 3 inches long. Hairs are present on the undersides along the midvein, petioles are hairy.
Flower color
White
Flower form
Panicle
Flower shape
Cross; Tubular
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Creamy white fetid flowers are less than an inch large on 2- to 3-inch terminal panicles. Clusters also occur in the upper leaf axils. Flowers bloom in the late spring and have an unpleasant odor.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Black
Fruit type
Drupe
Fruit value
Showy
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Fruits are clusters of black, semi-fleshy, olive-like drupes that birds like to eat.