原產於中國、日本，莖從基部叢生，姿態像竹。嫩莖枝紅色，春夏季葉色嫩綠，於低溫地區的冬季會變紅，也有賞葉價值。春夏季開白花，秋至冬季結果，一串串紅豔的果實是鳥類的最愛，從株型、葉色的變化以及果實都極具觀賞價值。南天竹在日本俗稱南天，日文發音與「難轉」相似，在日本有轉變困難災厄的吉祥寓意，成為傳統年花。

Nandina is native to China and Japan, the clumped stems emerge from the base just like bamboo. The young stems and branches are red, and the leaves are tender green in spring and summer and turn red in winter in low temperature areas, so they are also valued as a leaf ornamental. White flowers blooming in spring and summer and fruiting from autumn to winter. The abundant red fruits are the favorite of birds. With versatile plant shape and leaf color as well as fruits, the plant is of great ornamental value. Nandina is commonly known as Nan Tian in Japan, the pronunciation in Japanese is similar to "difficult to turn", which has an auspicious meaning of reversing difficulties and disasters and hence is a traditional seasonal flower.

南天竹屬常綠灌木，原產中國、日本。株高1~3m，從基部長出叢生枝，嫩枝紅色。互生葉聚生於枝端，三回單數羽狀複葉；橢圓形至披針形三出小葉。春夏季葉色嫩綠，於低溫地區冬季葉色會變紅。圓錐花序自葉腋伸出，白色花瓣與黃色花藥各6枚，花有淡香。果實紅色。開花期春夏季，結果期秋至冬季。

An evergreen shrub in the genus Nandina, native to China and Japan. Plant height 1 ~ 3m, clumped branchlets emerge from the base, and young shoots are red. Alternate leaves clustered at the end of the branch, oddly tri-pinnate compound; leaflets trifoliate, elliptic to lanceolate. Leaf colored tender green in spring and summer, and red in winter in cold regions. Panicles axillary erect with 6 white petals and yellow anthers, lightly fragrant. Fruit red. Flowering from spring to summer, fruiting from autumn to winter.

全日照至半日照環境。介質乾燥才澆水，春、夏各施用一次長效性綜合肥料。植株生長太旺盛時應適當修剪。繁殖使用播種與分株法。

The plant thrives in full sun to partial sun environments. Water only when the medium is dry, and apply long-active compound fertilizer once in spring and summer. When plants grow too vigorously, they should be pruned properly. Propagated by seeds and ramets.

南天竹集花、果、葉、姿態的觀賞價值於一身，自古就有栽培欣賞的紀錄。單株可使用大型盆缽種植或露地種於小庭園中，亦可多株列植作為綠籬使用。

Highly ornamental on the flowers, fruits, leaves, and postures, the plant has been cultivated for centuries as an ornamental. It can be planted alone in a large pot or in a small garden, or planted in rows as green hedges.