Smoke tree Cotinus coggygria
Smoke tree (Cotinus coggygria) is a deciduous perennial shrub in the Anacardiaceae family, native to Southern Europe to central China. It grows 3–5 m (10–16 ft) tall and 3–5 m (10–16 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -29 °C (-20 °F). Space plants about 3.5 m (11 ft) apart.
Plan Smoke tree in your garden →
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Smoke tree at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Anacardiaceae |
| Mature height | 3–5 m (10–16 ft) |
| Mature spread | 3–5 m (10–16 ft) |
| Spacing | 3.5 m (11 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -29 °C (-20 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 35 °C (95 °F) |
| Flowering | from about June for 4–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Southern Europe to central China |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇩🇪 Germany |
Is Smoke tree toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
- Parts: sap, leaves
Sap can cause contact dermatitis in sensitive people; pet toxicity is not documented.
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 Smoke tree
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Keep apart or take care
- caution With the Solanaceae family: Smoke tree is very susceptible to Verticillium wilt, which persists in soil after tomato, potato or aubergine crops; avoid planting it where those crops have wilted. Evidence C
Shared pests and diseases
- Verticillium wilt: Verticillium lives in soil for years; hosts planted together or in sequence build it up. Evidence B
Questions about Smoke tree
- How far apart should I plant Smoke tree?
- About 3.5 m (11 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 3–5 m (10–16 ft).
- Does Smoke tree need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Smoke tree need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Smoke tree?
- It tolerates about -29 °C (-20 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.
- When does Smoke tree flower?
- From about June for 4–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Smoke tree poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people mildly toxic. Sap can cause contact dermatitis in sensitive people; pet toxicity is not documented.
- What grows well with Smoke tree?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Smoke tree. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
Notes and assumptions
- The smoky plumes are enlarged hairy flower stalks that follow the tiny flowers; purple cultivars have darker foliage than shown.
- Very susceptible to Verticillium wilt; avoid planting where wilt hosts such as tomato or potato grew.
- Typical garden-form values; cultivars and local conditions differ.
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
- Mango (dwarf) Mangifera indica
- Peruvian pepper tree Schinus molle
- Mastic tree (lentisk) Pistacia lentiscus
- Pistachio Pistacia vera
- Sicilian sumac (spice sumac) Rhus coriaria
- Cashew Anacardium occidentale
- Ambarella (June plum) Spondias dulcis
- Jocote (red mombin, ciruela) Spondias purpurea