Ligustrum vulgare aka European Privet

Taxonomy

Ligustrum vulgare, also known as wild privet, common privet, or European privet, is a species of evergreen shrub native to central and southern Europe, north Africa, and southwestern Asia. It can be found from Ireland and southwestern Sweden south to Morocco, and east to Poland and northwestern Iran. In the UK and Europe, wild privet is often included in mixed native hedge mixes to provide evergreen cover in winter. This plant produces small white flowers in the summer, followed by dark purple/black berries, which are well-used by local wildlife. It is a popular roosting and nesting habitat for birds and is the main caterpillar food plant of the privet hawk-moth, Sphinx ligustri. Wild Privet is also a rare houseplant and can be grown with regular watering and direct light. It prefers soil that is well-draining and does not require added fertilizers if repotted each time it doubles in size. This plant is part of the Ligustrum genus and is native to Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, Northern Africa, and Asia Minor.

Common names

European Privet, Common Privet, Privet, Wild Privet

How to care for European Privet

Difficulty

Caring for European Privet is a breeze, as it is highly adaptable and forgiving to minor neglect.

Water

European Privet should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

European Privet loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

European Privet requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your Common Privet is always in the right place to thrive.

Toxicity

European Privet is poisonous if ingested. We suggest keeping this plant out of reach if you have children, cats, or dogs in the home.

Fertilizer

The European Privet should be repotted when it has doubled in size or annually, whichever comes first. Providing fresh potting soil with all the essential nutrients each year ensures the plant's well-being, eliminating the need for fertilizer. Remember, plants derive their energy from the sun and not fertilizer.

Region of origin

European Privet’s native range is Central and southern Europe, including Britain, to N. Africa.


More info:
Wikipedia