Common lilac Syringa vulgaris
Common lilac (Syringa vulgaris) is a deciduous perennial shrub in the Oleaceae family. It grows 2.5–4.5 m (8.2–15 ft) tall and 2–3.5 m (6.6–11 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -35 °C (-31 °F). Space plants about 2.5 m (8.2 ft) apart.
Plan Common lilac in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Common lilac at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Oleaceae |
| Mature height | 2.5–4.5 m (8.2–15 ft) |
| Mature spread | 2–3.5 m (6.6–11 ft) |
| Spacing | 2.5 m (8.2 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Cold hardiness | About -35 °C (-31 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 3) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 30 °C (86 °F) |
| Flowering | from about May for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Common in gardens of | 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇫🇷 France, 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇹🇷 Turkey, 🇮🇷 Iran, 🇰🇷 South Korea, 🇨🇦 Canada, 🇸🇪 Sweden, 🇵🇱 Poland |
Is Common lilac toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Lilac is not known to be toxic to people or pets.
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 Common lilac
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
See Common lilac in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- China National Botanical Garden (6 plants)
Questions about Common lilac
- How far apart should I plant Common lilac?
- About 2.5 m (8.2 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 2–3.5 m (6.6–11 ft).
- Does Common lilac need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Common lilac need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Common lilac?
- It tolerates about -35 °C (-31 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 3.
- When does Common lilac flower?
- From about May for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Common lilac poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Lilac is not known to be toxic to people or pets.
- What grows well with Common lilac?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Common lilac. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
- FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 — Crop Evapotranspiration, FAO
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-cultivar values; varieties differ.
- Needs winter chill to bloom well.
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
- Common privet Ligustrum vulgare
- Forsythia Forsythia x intermedia
- Common jasmine Jasminum officinale
- Olive Olea europaea
- Sweet osmanthus Osmanthus fragrans
- Arabian jasmine Jasminum sambac
- Early lilac (Chinese lilac) Syringa oblata
- Night jasmine (parijat) Nyctanthes arbor-tristis