Staghorn sumac Rhus typhina
Staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina) is a deciduous perennial shrub in the Anacardiaceae family, native to Eastern North America. It grows 3–6 m (10–20 ft) tall and 3–6 m (10–20 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -38 °C (-36 °F). Space plants about 3 m (10 ft) apart.
Plan Staghorn sumac in your garden →
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Staghorn sumac at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Anacardiaceae |
| Mature height | 3–6 m (10–20 ft) |
| Mature spread | 3–6 m (10–20 ft) |
| Spacing | 3 m (10 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 -38 °C (-36 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 3) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | from about June for 3–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Yes: red fruit clusters (soaked for a lemony drink, “sumac-ade”) |
| Native to | Eastern North America |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇨🇦 Canada, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇵🇱 Poland, 🇨🇳 China |
| Invasive in | parts of Europe (listed in several countries), China: check local rules before planting |
Is Staghorn sumac toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous: unlike poison sumac (which has white berries), staghorn sumac’s fuzzy red berries are edible.
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 Staghorn sumac
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Staghorn sumac
- How far apart should I plant Staghorn sumac?
- About 3 m (10 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 3–6 m (10–20 ft).
- Does Staghorn sumac need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Staghorn sumac need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Staghorn sumac?
- It tolerates about -38 °C (-36 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 3.
- When does Staghorn sumac flower?
- From about June for 3–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Staghorn sumac 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. Not poisonous: unlike poison sumac (which has white berries), staghorn sumac’s fuzzy red berries are edible.
- What grows well with Staghorn sumac?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Staghorn sumac. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
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
- CABI Invasive Species Compendium, CABI
Notes and assumptions
- Velvety branches like a stag’s antlers in velvet, huge pinnate leaves that turn flaming scarlet and orange in autumn, and upright cones of fuzzy crimson berries that last all winter for birds. Suckers aggressively to form thickets: fine on banks, troublesome in small beds.
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
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- Smoke tree Cotinus coggygria
- Mastic tree (lentisk) Pistacia lentiscus
- Pistachio Pistacia vera
- Sicilian sumac (spice sumac) Rhus coriaria
- Cashew Anacardium occidentale
- Ambarella (June plum) Spondias dulcis