Winter daphne Daphne odora
Winter daphne (Daphne odora) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Thymelaeaceae family, native to China and Japan. It grows 90 cm–1.5 m (35 in–4.9 ft) tall and 90 cm–1.5 m (35 in–4.9 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -12 °C (10 °F). Space plants about 1 m (3.3 ft) apart.
Plan Winter daphne in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Winter daphne at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Thymelaeaceae |
| Mature height | 90 cm–1.5 m (35 in–4.9 ft) |
| Mature spread | 90 cm–1.5 m (35 in–4.9 ft) |
| Spacing | 1 m (3.3 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About -12 °C (10 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 8) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 28 °C (82 °F) |
| Flowering | from about February for 4–8 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | China and Japan |
| Common in gardens of | 🇨🇳 China, 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom |
Is Winter daphne toxic?
- People: severely toxic
- Cats: severely toxic
- Dogs: severely toxic
- Parts: all parts, berries, sap
Daphnane diterpenes (daphnin, mezerein) in all parts cause severe irritation, vomiting and can be fatal.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Winter daphne
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
See Winter daphne in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Kew: glasshouses and rock garden (3 plants)
Questions about Winter daphne
- How far apart should I plant Winter daphne?
- About 1 m (3.3 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 90 cm–1.5 m (35 in–4.9 ft).
- Does Winter daphne need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Winter daphne need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Winter daphne?
- It tolerates about -12 °C (10 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 8.
- When does Winter daphne flower?
- From about February for 4–8 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Winter daphne poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is severely toxic; for dogs severely toxic; for people severely toxic. Daphnane diterpenes (daphnin, mezerein) in all parts cause severe irritation, vomiting and can be fatal.
- What grows well with Winter daphne?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Winter daphne. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-form values; cultivars and local conditions differ.
- Needs sharp drainage and dislikes root disturbance; plants are short-lived and can die suddenly.
- Fragrant flowers in late winter, so GDD to flower is nearly zero in a temperate climate.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Paperbush (mitsumata) Edgeworthia chrysantha
- Nepalese paper plant (lokta daphne) Daphne bholua
- Garland flower (rose daphne) Daphne cneorum
- Bigleaf hydrangea Hydrangea macrophylla
- Rhododendron Rhododendron
- Boxwood Buxus sempervirens
- Oleander Nerium oleander
- Common ninebark Physocarpus opulifolius