Viburnum furcatum
Viburnum furcatum
Educational content — not medical, botanical, or professional advice. Always consult a qualified clinician before using any herbal preparation — especially during pregnancy, breastfeeding, while on medication, or for children. How we source & review →
Pl. C739 — Viburnum furcatum
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IOverview
Overview
Viburnum furcatum, commonly known as the Japanese snowball, is a deciduous shrub native to Japan, Korea, the Kuril Islands, and Sakhalin. It thrives in partial sun or shade and prefers moist soil that can be light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay). Hardy from zones 5-9, this plant grows up to 3.5 meters tall and is valued both for its ornamental value and its edible fruit. Its medicinal properties are also recognized, making it a versatile addition to gardens in its native range and beyond. One distinctive feature of Viburnum furcatum is the light green foliage that turns reddish-purple in autumn, complemented by clusters of small white flowers in spring followed by blue-black berries in summer.
Quick answers
What is Viburnum furcatum?
Viburnum furcatum, commonly known as the Japanese snowball, is a deciduous shrub native to Japan, Korea, the Kuril Islands, and Sakhalin. It thrives in partial sun or shade and prefers moist soil that can be light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay).
What is Viburnum furcatum used for?
Traditionally used for stress & anxiety, digestion. Each claim is evidence-rated — see Section II for full citations.
Best for
Top 2 evidence-ranked uses of Viburnum furcatum
Clinicaluses · safety · chemistry · dosagemedicinal profile
IIBenefits & evidence
2 claims · 0 sources
Benefits & evidence
2 claims · 0 sources- Traditional-use note: Viburnum furcatum appears in herbal sources around calming and relaxation traditions, often as a tincture. PlantSage presents this as ethnobotanical context, not as medical advice.
Traditional context only. This reviewed claim keeps the original moderate confidence level, but avoids treatment, disease, dosage, or guaranteed-effect language.
- Viburnum furcatum has been traditionally used in East Asian medicine for digestive issues, such as bloating and cramping. A decoction of the fruit is commonly prepared to support gastrointestinal health.
The mechanism by which Viburnum furcatum supports digestion is not fully characterised but may involve compounds that interact with gut motility or reduce inflammation in the digestive tract.
IV·bMixology suggestions
2 drafts
Mixology suggestions
2 draftsEditorial drafts. These pairings are AI-suggested from traditional herbal lore. Always verify with a qualified herbalist before brewing.
Digestive Harmony
digestiontincture
Historically used for digestive issues.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Viburnum furcatum thrives in partial sun to shade and prefers moist soil that is light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay). It is hardy in zones 5-9 and can grow up to 3.5 meters tall. For propagation, the plant can be grown from seeds or cuttings. The fruit of Viburnum furcatum is edible.
Light
Partial sun/shade
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
5-9
Mature size
3.5 m tall
For first-time growers
How to grow Viburnum furcatum for the first time
7steps
Start with planting Viburnum furcatum in a beginner-friendly environment.
- 1
What you'll need
A young Viburnum furcatum plant, garden gloves, and a trowel.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant Viburnum furcatum in early spring or late fall when the weather is cooler.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Ensure the soil is well-draining with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5, and prepare a hole twice as wide but not deeper than the root ball.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Transplant young Viburnum furcatum from a container into your garden bed, making sure the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface.
- 5
First two weeks
Water the plant thoroughly after planting and keep the soil moist but not waterlogged during this period.
- 6
Ongoing care
Provide partial sun to shade, regular watering, and mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune Viburnum furcatum in late winter before new growth starts to maintain its shape and remove any dead branches.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:Fruit
Edible uses: The fruit of Viburnum furcatum is edible and can be consumed raw or used in various preparations. It is often eaten fresh but can also be dried for later use.
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
4 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
4 native · 0 introducedDistribution across1 continent· 4 native
Asia2 regions
native (2)JapanSouth Korea
Broader regions
native:Kuril Is., Sakhalin
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXSee also
8 related
See also
8 relatedPlants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family, common use cases, and growing requirements.
shared use cases
Different families, similar therapeutic role — good for comparing.
XI
Explore further
Companion planting
Health goals
Compare with similar plants
Growing zone
XII
About this entry
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