Crops › Mulberry
How to grow Mulberry
in the US
Sow March to November, plant out December, harvest July to October. About 730 days from seed to plate.
Shown for zone 6. Zone table further down.
Mulberries, they're a proper treat, aren't they? Dead easy to grow, too, once you get 'em established, and they give you loads of lovely fruit. On my own plot, they're a real feature, a cracking tree that just keeps on giving with not much fuss.
Sowing
To start mulberries from seed, you'll want to get them going indoors, usually in late winter or early spring, depending on your USDA zone. For folks in colder zones, like 3 or 4, aim for April or May. If you're in zones 5 to 7, March or April works, but zones 8-10 can get started earlier, even as early as January or February in the warmest spots. Sow them about a quarter-inch deep in good seed-starting mix, then keep them warm and moist. They can take a while to germinate, so don't give up on 'em too soon, you know what I mean.
Growing on
Once your seedlings are big enough to handle, gently prick them out and pot them on into individual pots. Let them grow on in a sheltered spot, maybe a cold frame or a sunny windowsill, giving them a bit more space. When they're looking strong and all danger of frost has passed for your area, you can start hardening them off. Gradually get them used to the outdoors before planting them out in their final spot. Remember, these can grow into proper trees, so give 'em plenty of room, maybe 15-20 feet (4.5-6 meters) apart if you're putting a few in, or think about a container variety if space is tight.
Looking after it
Mulberries aren't too fussy once they're settled. Make sure they get a good drink, especially when they're young or if the weather's really dry. A layer of mulch around the base, like some well-rotted compost, will help keep the moisture in and keep the weeds down. They don't need much feeding once established, but a bit of balanced fertilizer in spring won't hurt. Nasturtiums or chives nearby are good companions, too, like I say, helps keep things happy.
What goes wrong
To be honest, mulberries don't get hit with loads of problems, which is cracking. You might see aphids on the new growth, especially in spring; a good spray of water can often sort them out, or a bit of insecticidal soap if it's really bad. Slugs can be a bother for young plants, so keep an eye out and use your preferred method to deter them. Generally, though, they're pretty robust.
Harvest
You'll know your mulberries are ready when they're a deep, rich color and come away easily from the stem with a gentle tug. They ripen over a few weeks, so you'll be out picking regularly, which is nice. Pick 'em often to encourage more fruit. They don't keep for ages, so eat 'em fresh, bake 'em into pies, or freeze 'em for later. A quick wash and into the fridge is best for a day or two.
I always put an old sheet or tarp down under my mulberry when I'm picking. Saves a lot of bending down, and catches all the ones that drop!
Dates for your plot
Type your zone and the plant-out advice shifts to your frost dates.
Varieties, and whether the club would grow them again
| Variety | Club verdict |
|---|---|
| Illinois Everbearing This is a real workhorse, the Illinois Everbearing. You'll get plenty of fruit, and it's known for being very reliable year after year, proper consistent. | No club votes yet |
| Pakistan (Long) The Pakistan (Long) variety gives you unusually long fruit, quite impressive really. If you're after something a bit different and a good harvest, this is a cracking choice. | No club votes yet |
| Black Beauty Black Beauty is a lovely dark-fruited mulberry, very rich in flavor. It's a great one for fresh eating or making jams and jellies, really chuffed with this one. | No club votes yet |
| Persian The Persian mulberry is another good one for a substantial crop of dark, tasty fruit. It's a robust choice for most backyards, very dependable. | No club votes yet |
| Oscar Oscar is known for its excellent flavor and good yields, a top performer for sure. It's a reliable choice if you want plenty of delicious mulberries. | No club votes yet |
| Shangri La Shangri La is a good variety for warmer climates, known for its sweet, juicy berries. If you're in a milder zone, this one could be a real winner for your plot. | No club votes yet |
| Wellington Wellington is a very productive variety, giving you a good amount of fruit for pies and preserves. It's a hardy choice that generally does well in many areas. | No club votes yet |
| Red Mulberry This is a native American species, the Red Mulberry, known for its sweet and tart flavor. It's a robust tree that's well-suited to many different growing conditions. | No club votes yet |
| Russian The Russian mulberry is known for its hardiness, making it a good choice for colder zones. It's often used as a windbreak too, as well as for its fruit. | No club votes yet |
| Kokuso 20 Kokuso 20 is a Japanese variety, known for its large, sweet fruit and good yields. It's a proper productive tree, giving you plenty to enjoy. | No club votes yet |
| Gerardi Dwarf Gerardi Dwarf is a cracking compact variety, just perfect if you're short on space or want to grow in a container. It still gives you a good crop of tasty fruit, mind. | No club votes yet |
| Silk Hope Silk Hope is a reliable producer of sweet, black mulberries, a real favorite for many. It's a vigorous grower and gives a long harvest season, too. | No club votes yet |
| Weeping The Weeping mulberry is a lovely ornamental choice, with its distinctive drooping branches, but it still gives you fruit! It's great for adding a bit of character to your garden. | No club votes yet |
| White Mulberry The White Mulberry produces sweet, pale-colored fruit, a bit milder than the darker varieties. It's a good, easy-going tree for a varied harvest. | No club votes yet |
| Chelsea Chelsea is a variety known for its large, flavorful fruit, a real treat for fresh eating. It's a robust tree that does well in many garden settings. | No club votes yet |
Votes are members rating varieties in their Seed Tin, one vote per gardener. Tap a variety for the full page and where to buy.
Buy Mulberry seeds
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Sowing by USDA zone
| Zone | Sow / plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | April to May | August to September |
| Zone 4 | April to May | August to September |
| Zone 5 | March to May | August to October |
| Zone 6 | March to November | July to October |
| Zone 7 | March to November | July to October |
| Zone 8 | February to November | July to November |
| Zone 9 | February to December | June to November |
| Zone 10 | November to February | June to November |
Cook the harvest
Peppery arugula meets sweet mulberries, creamy goat cheese, and toasted walnuts in a salad that's ready in 10 minutes but tastes like you put real effort in. The simple shallot-lemon dressing ties everything together without stealing the show from the berries.
10 min · easyA thick, vivid purple breakfast bowl made with frozen mulberries and banana blended to a spoonable consistency. Topped with fresh fruit, granola, and a drizzle of honey, it looks stunning and tastes even better. Ready in under 10 minutes.
8 min · easyPan-seared chicken thighs finished in a glossy mulberry-balsamic pan sauce that's sweet, tangy, and deeply savory. Fresh mulberries melt into the sauce, creating something that feels restaurant-worthy but comes together in 35 minutes. Serve over polenta or with crusty bread.
35 min · mediumA deep-purple, intensely fruity jam that captures the brief mulberry season in a jar. Just berries, sugar, and lemon juice — no pectin needed because mulberries have just enough natural pectin to set beautifully. Spread lavishly on toast or swirl through plain yogurt.
40 min · easyWatch for, and grow alongside
Companions: nasturtium, chives, comfrey, white clover, yarrow, daffodils
Questions people ask
When do you sow Mulberry in the US?
Sow Mulberry from March to November in zone 6, earlier or later by zone. Plant out December, after the last frost.
How long does Mulberry take from sowing to harvest?
Roughly 730 days, with the harvest July to October.
Which Mulberry varieties do gardeners grow again?
Club members rate every variety they grow. This page shows the grow-again votes for Illinois Everbearing, Pakistan (Long), Black Beauty, Persian and more.
Track your Mulberry from packet to plate
Sowing reminders and harvest forecasts for your own frost dates, the Seed Tin, Scan Centre for any label or packet, and the Potty Mouth Garden Club. Free to start.
Allotment keeper in the North East of England, the voice behind the Tony C Smith YouTube channel, and the gardener who built GrowMore CookMore. Club numbers on this page update as members log their plots. Last updated 3 September 2026.