How to Find and Grow Red Shrubs in Minecraft 26.3

By GamerCubic Editorial Team

Last updated: July 26, 2026 | Fact-checked against official Minecraft test-build notes

A Red Shrub is a new decorative plant block found in small patches inside Minecraft’s Dappled Forest biome. After collecting one, place it on suitable ground and apply Bone Meal. If an adjacent space is valid and empty, another Red Shrub grows nearby. The plant can also be placed in a Composter and used as crimson ground cover for autumn-themed builds.

Version note: Red Shrubs remain experimental. Mojang introduced them in Java Edition 26.3 Snapshot 1 and Bedrock Preview 26.40.27. Their mechanics may change before release.

Red Shrub Quick Facts

Feature	Confirmed information
Block type	Decorative plant
Natural location	Small patches in the Dappled Forest
Multiplication method	Use Bone Meal to create one in a random valid adjacent space
Practical uses	Decoration and composting
First Java build	Minecraft 26.3 Snapshot 1
First Bedrock build	Preview 26.40.27
Current status	Experimental

Red Shrubs are not Red Poplar Leaves: the leaves grow on trees, while shrubs cover the forest floor.

Where Do You Find Red Shrubs in Minecraft?

Search inside a Dappled Forest, the autumn Overworld biome found near cold biomes. Its pale Poplar trunks and red, orange and yellow canopy distinguish it from ordinary forests. Look around trees, fallen logs and open ground.

Red Shrubs generate in small groups and can blend into leaf litter. If you still need the biome, read what a Dappled Forest is in Minecraft or use our best Dappled Forest seeds for Minecraft 26.3.

Players using a compatible Java snapshot with cheats enabled can locate the biome with:

/locate biome minecraft:dappled_forest

The returned coordinates lead to the biome, not directly to an individual shrub. Search the ground after arriving.

How Do You Collect a Red Shrub?

Java Snapshot 1 block-loot data returns the shrub itself when broken and lists no Silk Touch or shears condition. Break it, collect the item and return to your base.

Some early guides claim shears are required, but Java Snapshot 1 data does not support that claim. Recheck later Java and Bedrock builds because experimental mechanics can change.

One shrub is enough to begin multiplying them with Bone Meal.

How Do You Grow and Farm Red Shrubs?

Red Shrubs do not grow into large bushes or trees. Bone Meal makes a new Red Shrub appear in a random adjacent valid space.

Use this simple multiplication method:

1. Place one Red Shrub on suitable ground.
2. Clear plants and blocks from the surrounding spaces.
3. Keep valid ground beneath those empty spaces.
4. Apply Bone Meal to the original shrub.
5. Collect or leave the new shrub, then repeat.

A flat patch provides more neighboring positions. If nothing appears, remove nearby obstacles and try again. Mojang has not published a guaranteed Bone Meal success rate.

For an organized garden, use separate patches and leave one shrub in each as a permanent starter.

Bone Meal chooses a random neighboring position rather than upgrading the original plant. That means a narrow or cluttered area wastes possible placements. A five-by-five grass patch with the starter near the center gives the shrub room to spread, although Mojang has not named an official farm layout. Keep Bone Meal nearby and harvest the outer growth.

What Are Red Shrubs Used For?

The Red Shrub is primarily decorative. Its deep color works well in:

• Autumn gardens and woodland paths
• Poplar cabins and Dappled Forest bases
• Medieval or fantasy landscaping
• Abandoned and overgrown ruins
• Seasonal village decorations
• Color transitions between red leaves and green grass

Red Shrubs also work in a Composter. Mojang confirms this use but does not publish an exact composting chance.

One starter plant can supply a growing patch near your base, reducing return trips to distant forests.

Are Red Shrubs Available in Java and Bedrock?

Yes, but only experimentally. Java received Red Shrubs in 26.3 Snapshot 1 and Bedrock in Preview 26.40.27. They are not confirmed for a stable release as of July 26, 2026.

Match the edition and build named by a guide. If a seed or coordinate fails, first check for a version mismatch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you grow Red Shrubs with Bone Meal?

Yes. Bone Meal creates another Red Shrub in a random adjacent space when a valid location is available.

Do Red Shrubs need shears?

Java Snapshot 1 loot data does not require shears for the shrub to drop itself. Because the feature is experimental, confirm the behavior in newer Java or Bedrock builds.

Can Red Shrubs be composted?

Yes. Mojang lists the Red Shrub as a plant that can be placed in a Composter.

Where do Red Shrubs naturally generate?

They generate in small patches inside the Dappled Forest biome.

Are Red Shrubs available in survival mode?

They can be found and collected in survival gameplay when using a supported snapshot or preview. They are not yet confirmed for the stable game.

Their autumn color and Bone Meal multiplication make Red Shrubs useful renewable ground cover for builders and creative landscaping throughout your evolving Minecraft world.