Sassafras Sassafras albidum
Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) is a deciduous perennial tree in the Lauraceae family, native to Eastern North America. It grows 9–18 m (30–59 ft) tall and 7–12 m (23–39 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -30 °C (-22 °F). Space plants about 8 m (26 ft) apart.
Plan Sassafras in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Sassafras at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Lauraceae |
| Mature height | 9–18 m (30–59 ft) |
| Mature spread | 7–12 m (23–39 ft) |
| Spacing | 8 m (26 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About -30 °C (-22 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 36 °C (97 °F) |
| Flowering | from about April for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: dried leaves (filé powder for gumbo) |
| Native to | Eastern North America |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇨🇦 Canada, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom |
Is Sassafras toxic?
- People: moderately toxic
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
- Parts: root bark, oil
The root bark and its oil contain safrole, which causes liver cancer in animals; the US banned it as a food additive in 1960. Filé made from the leaves contains little safrole.
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 Sassafras
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Keep apart or take care
- caution With Avocado: Laurel wilt (Raffaelea lauricola), carried by redbay ambrosia beetles, kills avocado and wild laurels such as redbay and sassafras in the south-eastern US. Evidence B
Questions about Sassafras
- How far apart should I plant Sassafras?
- About 8 m (26 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 7–12 m (23–39 ft).
- Does Sassafras need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Sassafras need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Sassafras?
- It tolerates about -30 °C (-22 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.
- When does Sassafras flower?
- From about April for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Sassafras poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people moderately toxic. The root bark and its oil contain safrole, which causes liver cancer in animals; the US banned it as a food additive in 1960. Filé made from the leaves contains little safrole.
- What grows well with Sassafras?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Sassafras. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- GRIN-Global Taxonomy, USDA ARS
Notes and assumptions
- Leaves of three shapes on the same tree, oval, mitten-shaped and three-lobed, smelling of citrus and root beer when crushed, turning brilliant orange and red in autumn. Host to the spicebush swallowtail. Choctaw cooks ground the dried leaves into filé for gumbo. Suckers to form groves.
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
- Bay laurel Laurus nobilis
- Avocado Persea americana
- Camphor tree Cinnamomum camphora
- Northern spicebush Lindera benzoin
- Ceylon cinnamon Cinnamomum verum
- Cassia (Chinese cinnamon) Cinnamomum cassia
- California bay (Oregon myrtle) Umbellularia californica
- Peumo (Chilean acorn tree) Cryptocarya alba