Shrub · Viburnaceae family · with preparation per the EMAornamental and medicinal · also in Medicinal herbs
elder
Sambucus nigra
In short a 10-second read
Elder (shrub) grows to 3–6 m tall and 2.4–6 m wide when mature. It grows best in full sun to part shade, in average to moist soil. It flowers in May–June; the flowers are white. Hardy to −29 °C.
× spread 2.4–6 m
Where to plant
Sun, soil, frost.
It grows best in full sun to part shade, in average to moist soil. Hardy to −29 °C.
Sun
Tolerates several positions — choose to suit the rest of the garden.
Soil and water
average to moist · watering: moderate
Soil: clay, humus-rich, loamy, sandy
Frost
It copes with a normal winter outdoors.
How much space it takes
Mature size.
The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).
Next to a person
Reaches maturity in about 10–20 years. The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.
Calendar
What to do and when.
Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.
The year at a glance
Flowers
May–June · white
Pruning
cut back to the ground (February–March)
Planting
container plant: October–April
Winter protection
not needed
Overwintering
It copes with winter on its own.
It overwinters outdoors without protection, hardy to −29 °C.
- Needs no protection
- Hardy to −29 °C
- Deciduous — bare in winter
Frequently asked
Quick answers.
When does elder flower?
In May–June; the flowers are white.
Does elder tolerate shade?
It tolerates part shade (3–6 hours of sun), but not full shade.
How much space does elder need?
At maturity 2.4–6 m wide and 3–6 m tall; recommended spacing 400 cm.
Does elder survive winter outdoors?
Yes, without protection, hardy to −29 °C.
Where the data comes from
The data is indicative — we are still comparing it with further sources. Last checked 18 October 2026.
Show sources (14)
- NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — Sambucus nigra
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder — Sambucus nigra
- Oregon State University Landscape Plants — Sambucus nigra
- BfN (Bundesamt für Naturschutz) — Naturschutzfachliche Invasivitätsbewertung
- GBIF Occurrence Search API — Sambucus nigra
- Wikidata (CC0) — Sambucus nigra
- RHS - Sambucus nigra
- EMA/HMPC - Sambuci flos (herbal medicine)
- EMA/HMPC - monografia Sambuci flos (EMA/HMPC/611512/2016)
- RHS - Trees and shrubs: planting
- Clemson HGIC - Planting Trees Correctly
- RHS - How to grow shrubs
- Invasive plant lists — this species is not on them: EU, Slovakia
Similar plants
Have a look at these too.
Preparation and use · elder
How to prepare it.
According to the monograph of the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
part: flower
For: symptoms of the common cold EMA 4.1For whom: From 12 years · adolescents, adults, elderly EMA 4.2
- What you use
- Herb EMA 4.2
- How it is used
- By mouth EMA 4.2
- Single dose
- 2–5 g of dried flowers in 150 ml of boiling water EMA 4.2
- How often
- 3× a day EMA 4.2
- How long
- If symptoms last longer than 1 week or get worse, see a doctor. EMA 4.2
Method
- 1
Put 2–5 g of dried flowers in a cup.
EMA 4.2 - 2
Pour over 150 ml of boiling water.
EMA 4.2 - 3
Steep for 5–15 min.
EMA/HMPC/5829/201010:00 - 4
Drink 3× a day.
EMA 4.2
part: flower
Decoction at home
For: symptoms of the common cold EMA 4.1For whom: From 12 years · adolescents, adults, elderly EMA 4.2
- What you use
- Herb EMA 4.2
- How it is used
- By mouth EMA 4.2
- Single dose
- 3–6 g of dried flowers in 200 ml of water a day EMA 4.2
- Split
- Split into 2 doses EMA 4.2
- Preparation
- As a decoction EMA 4.2
- How long
- If symptoms last longer than 1 week or get worse, see a doctor. EMA 4.2
Method
- 1
Put 3–6 g of dried flowers in a pan.
EMA 4.2 - 2
Pour over 200 ml of water.
EMA 4.2 - 3
Bring to the boil and simmer for 15–30 min.
EMA/HMPC/5829/201020:00 - 4
Split the daily dose of 3–6 g into 2 doses.
EMA 4.2 - 5
Drink it.
EMA 4.2
part: flower
Tincture from a pharmacy
For: symptoms of the common cold EMA 4.1For whom: From 12 years · adolescents, adults, elderly EMA 4.2
- What you use
- Tincture EMA 2
- How it is used
- By mouth EMA 4.2
- Tincture
- 1 : 5, ethanol 25 % EMA 2
- Maceration
- 3 days pharmacopoeia (USP)
- Single dose
- 10–25 ml EMA 4.2
- How often
- 3× a day EMA 4.2
- How long
- If symptoms last longer than 1 week or get worse, see a doctor. EMA 4.2
Method
- 1
Measure out 10–25 ml of tincture.
EMA 4.2 - 2
Take it 3× a day.
EMA 4.2
Dosage
| Form | Single dose | How often | For whom | How long | Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Herbal tea (infusion)at homepart: flower | 2–5 g of dried flowers in 150 ml of boiling water EMA 4.2 | 3× a day | From 12 years · adolescents, adults, elderly | longer than 1 week → see a doctor EMA 4.2 | |
| Decoctionat homepart: flower | 3–6 g a day in total EMA 4.2 | From 12 years · adolescents, adults, elderly | longer than 1 week → see a doctor EMA 4.2 | Split: split into 2 doses · Preparation: as a decoction EMA 4.2 | |
| Tincturefrom a pharmacy or at home ↓part: flower | 10–25 ml EMA 4.2 | 3× a day | From 12 years · adolescents, adults, elderly | longer than 1 week → see a doctor EMA 4.2 | Tincture: 1 : 5, ethanol 25 % EMA 2 |
| Children under 12: not recommended EMA 4.2 | |||||
How long
If symptoms last longer than 1 week or get worse, see a doctor. EMA 4.2
Who should not use it
- Children under 12: not recommended EMA 4.2
- If hypersensitive (allergic) to this plant EMA 4.3
- During pregnancy and breastfeeding (not recommended) EMA 4.6
Cautions
- If shortness of breath, fever or purulent sputum occurs, see a doctor. EMA 4.4
- If symptoms get worse, see a doctor. EMA 4.4
- The tincture contains alcohol (ethanol). EMA 4.4
- If you take any medicines, ask a doctor or pharmacist. GridGarden
- Do not drive after taking it. GridGarden
Home-made tincture · per the EMA
Tincture at home.
The EMA also lists a tincture. This is how to make it from dried herb from your bed.
Weigh
of dried flowers, chopped
calculated · 1 : 5Cover with alcohol
ethanol 25 %, in a glass jar
EMA 2Leave to steep
close the jar, keep it in the dark and shake it now and then
pharmacopoeia (USP)Use
3× a day · from 12 years
EMA 4.2Before taking the tincture
The tincture contains alcohol. Read this before use:
- Children under 12: not recommendedEMA 4.2
- If hypersensitive (allergic) to this plantEMA 4.3
- During pregnancy and breastfeeding (not recommended)EMA 4.6
- The tincture contains alcohol (ethanol).EMA 4.4
- If shortness of breath, fever or purulent sputum occurs, see a doctor.EMA 4.4
- If symptoms get worse, see a doctor.EMA 4.4
- If you take any medicines, ask a doctor or pharmacist.GridGarden
- Do not drive after taking it.GridGarden
Source: EMA/HMPC monograph EMA/HMPC/611512/2016 · Steeping days and straining