Picking flowers, berries and mushrooms

Last reviewed: ‎19‎ ‎June‎ ‎2025

You are free to pick flowers, berries, and mushrooms that grow in the wild, as well as gather twigs, and branches from the ground. But don’t overdo it – pick in moderation so nature can thrive.

Before you head out into nature, it’s important to be aware of a few simple rules. Keep the following in mind to ensure a safe and respectful experience for both you and the environment.

Keep in mind

Some plants are protected by law and may not be picked. The county board provides information on protected plants in your area.
Leave twigs, branches, birch bark, or any other bark from living trees untouched – it harms them.
Stay alert when hunting is taking place, especially during the fall. If hunting is ongoing, choose another area.

Take only what can grow back on its own

You may pick leaves and berries that regrow each year, while making sure you’re not harming the plant. Only harvest parts that can regenerate without affecting the plant’s health, and avoid disturbing roots, bulbs, or other vital parts. Never dig up whole plants or seedlings. This is to ensure that the plant remains healthy and continues to grow and reproduce after harvesting.

Landowner permission

Taking trees, grass, fallen trees, stone, gravel, peat, or other unprocessed natural materials without the landowner’s permission is not allowed.

Abandoned properties

On abandoned land with no remaining buildings, you may collect wild apples, cherries, raspberries, gooseberries, and similar without penalty.

Rocks

Rocks are natural objects and require the landowner’s permission for removal. Breaking or carving words into rock surfaces is not permitted. However, taking a small number of stones or pebbles is usually not considered an offence.

Protected plants and flowers

Some plants are fully protected, meaning you must not pick, collect, or damage them in any way – not even their seeds, flowers, or other parts – even if they grow on your own property.

The purpose of this protection is to safeguard plant species that are at risk of disappearing or being exploited.

For certain protected plants, you may pick a few flowers for personal use, but digging up the plant or collecting it for sale is not allowed.

The Swedish government has set rules to protect plants nationwide, as well as in specific areas. For example, all orchids in Sweden are protected by law.

Commercial berry-picking

There is no ban on commercially organized large-scale berry picking, as long as it does not cause any loss or inconvenience to the landowner – other than the loss of the berries themselves.

Special rules for protected areas

Special rules apply in protected areas, such as national parks, nature reserves and heritage sites. There may be restrictions in place on picking berries and other plants, as well as collecting rocks or other objects. Make sure to check what rules and regulations apply.