Quick answer: Red chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia) is native to 22 states. What's commonly sold under this name is often a bred variety or the wrong species — see the lookalike alert below. It's typically seeds, verified 16 Sep 2026.
Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Abrahami assumed (based on copyright claims)., Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.5)
Where it's native
Listed in the directory as native to these states. Click a state for its full native-plant guide.
Growing conditions
From the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Native Plant Database.
| Sun | Sun |
|---|---|
| Water | High water, Moist |
| Soil | Moist, rich soils |
| Bloom | May |
| Height | 6-12 ft |
| Wildlife value | Fruit occasionally eaten by game birds, songbirds, and reportedly bears |
Lookalike alert
Cultivar ('Brilliantissima').
Sold as: Seeds via Amazon · listing verified 16 Sep 2026
See where to buy →Quick answers about Red chokeberry
Where is Red chokeberry native?
Red chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia) is native to 22 states across the Northeast and South. Check your state's page in this directory for the full list of plants native where you live.
When does Red chokeberry bloom?
Red chokeberry blooms May. Exact timing shifts a few weeks with latitude and elevation.
What growing conditions does Red chokeberry need?
Light: Sun. Water: High water, Moist. Soil: Moist, rich soils. Mature height: 6-12 ft.
Is Red chokeberry good for pollinators and wildlife?
Yes. Wildlife value: Fruit occasionally eaten by game birds, songbirds, and reportedly bears.
Where can I buy real Red chokeberry seed or plants?
We found a listing sold as seeds that names the true species, last checked 16 Sep 2026. Be aware that some sellers offer bred varieties under this name.
Similar native plants
Native plants that share growing conditions or range with Red chokeberry.
- Crimson-eyed rose-mallow Hibiscus moscheutos
- New York ironweed Vernonia noveboracensis
- Fire pink Silene virginica
- Virginia sweetspire Itea virginica
- Dense blazing star Liatris spicata
- Hollow Joe-pye weed Eutrochium fistulosum
Also listed under
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