How far apart should I plant Northern spicebush?

About 2.5 m (8.2 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 2–3.5 m (6.6–11 ft).

Does Northern spicebush need full sun?

Shade: at least 2 hours of direct sun a day.

How much water does Northern spicebush need?

Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance moderate.

How cold-hardy is Northern spicebush?

It tolerates about -32 °C (-26 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.

When does Northern spicebush flower?

From about April for 2–3 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).

Is Northern spicebush 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. No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.

What grows well with Northern spicebush?

There is no well-documented companion pairing for Northern spicebush. Group it with plants that like the same sun (shade) and water (moderate).

Northern spicebush Lindera benzoin

Northern spicebush (Lindera benzoin) is a deciduous perennial shrub in the Lauraceae family, native to Eastern North America (moist woodland understorey). It grows 2–3.5 m (6.6–11 ft) tall and 2–3.5 m (6.6–11 ft) wide, wants shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -32 °C (-26 °F). Space plants about 2.5 m (8.2 ft) apart.

Plan Northern spicebush in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.

Northern spicebush at a glance

Type	Perennial shrub, deciduous
Family	Lauraceae
Mature height	2–3.5 m (6.6–11 ft)
Mature spread	2–3.5 m (6.6–11 ft)
Spacing	2.5 m (8.2 ft) centre to centre
Sun	Shade, at least 2 h of direct sun a day
Water	Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance moderate
Soil pH	5–7
Cold hardiness	About -32 °C (-26 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4)
Heat stress	Likely above about 34 °C (93 °F)
Flowering	from about April for 2–3 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones)
Wind tolerance	Low
Pollinator value	High
Edible	Yes: berries (allspice substitute), leaves and twigs (tea)
Native to	Eastern North America (moist woodland understorey)
Common in gardens of	🇺🇸 United States

Is Northern spicebush toxic?

People: not known to be toxic
Cats: not known to be toxic
Dogs: not known to be toxic

No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.

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 Northern spicebush

No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like shade 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

See Northern spicebush in a botanical garden

It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:

Questions about Northern spicebush

How far apart should I plant Northern spicebush?: About 2.5 m (8.2 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 2–3.5 m (6.6–11 ft).
Does Northern spicebush need full sun?: Shade: at least 2 hours of direct sun a day.
How much water does Northern spicebush need?: Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance moderate.
How cold-hardy is Northern spicebush?: It tolerates about -32 °C (-26 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.
When does Northern spicebush flower?: From about April for 2–3 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
Is Northern spicebush 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. No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
What grows well with Northern spicebush?: There is no well-documented companion pairing for Northern spicebush. Group it with plants that like the same sun (shade) and water (moderate).

Sources and evidence

Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).

Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
USDA PLANTS Database, USDA NRCS
Thain Family Forest and native plant collections, New York Botanical Garden

Notes and assumptions

Clouds of tiny yellow flowers before the leaves; food plant of the spicebush swallowtail. Berries on female plants only.

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
Ceylon cinnamon Cinnamomum verum
Cassia (Chinese cinnamon) Cinnamomum cassia
Sassafras Sassafras albidum
California bay (Oregon myrtle) Umbellularia californica
Peumo (Chilean acorn tree) Cryptocarya alba