FNPS Plant Database

Rivina humilis

rouge plant
  • Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
  • Photo by: Louise Raterman

Nomenclature

Common Name:

rouge plant

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Rivina humilis

Family:

Phytolaccaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

shrub

Size:

3-5 ft tall by 1-3 ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

white,pink

Fruit Color:

red

Phenology:

Evergreen. Blooms and fruits all year.

Noted For:

Showy Flowers, Showy Fruits

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Foundation plantings, small speciment plants. Of year-round interest since it has both blooms and fruits nearly all year.

Considerations:

This plant grows naturally is protected woodland locations. Its weak wood can break easily if exposed to wind or physical disturbance.

Availability:

Native Nurseries, FNPS Plant Sales

Propagation:

Seeds and cuttings. Self-seeds.

Light:

Full Sun, Part Sun, Shade

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded---------------------------------Extremely Dry

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Usually moist, occasional inundation -to- Somewhat long very dry periods

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Some tolerance to salty wind but not direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand, Loam

Soil pH:

Suitable to Grow In:

9A,9B,10A,10B

USDA zones are based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature.

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Vouchered In:

Distribution
Vouchered
Not vouchered
Selected
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No county distribution is available for this plant yet.
Starting…
Map coded by Melissa Fernandez-de Cespedes (Paynes Prairie Chapter)

Ecology

Wildlife:

Pollinators, Birds

Insect pollinated.

Seeds eaten by birds 

Native Habitats:

Woods. Moist and well-drained sand, loam, clay, or calcareous soils.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

The berries have been used for cosmetics, hence the name rouge plant.

General Comments:

This species is listed as invasive in Australia.
FNPS Plant Print

Citations:

Gann, G.D., C.J. Abbott, C.G. Stocking, K.N. Hines, and collaborators. (2001+). Rouge Plant [in] Natives For Your Neighborhood. ( https://www.regionalconservation.org/beta/nfyn/plantdetail.asp?tx=Rivihumi ). Accessed 2026. The Institute for Regional Conservation. Delray Beach, Florida.


Haehle, Robert G. and Joan Brookwell. (1999). Native Florida Plants. Gulf Publishing Company. Houston, TX.


Nixon, Leslie. (2019). Rouge Plant. ( http://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/volusiaco/2019/06/24/rouge-plant/ ). Accessed 2026. Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.


Wikipedia. (2013-2026). Rivina humilis. ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rivina_humilis ). Accessed 2026.


Wunderlin, R. P., B. F. Hansen, A. R. Franck, and F. B. Essig. (1999+). Atlas of Florida Plants. ( https://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/ ). [S. M. Landry and K. N. Campbell (application development), USF Water Institute.] Institute for Systematic Botany, University of South Florida, Tampa.

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