Sweet osmanthus Osmanthus fragrans
Sweet osmanthus (Osmanthus fragrans) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Oleaceae family, native to China, the Himalaya and Japan. It grows 3–6 m (10–20 ft) tall and 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -10 °C (14 °F). Space plants about 2.5 m (8.2 ft) apart.
Plan Sweet osmanthus in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Sweet osmanthus at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Oleaceae |
| Mature height | 3–6 m (10–20 ft) |
| Mature spread | 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) |
| Spacing | 2.5 m (8.2 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -10 °C (14 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 8) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 35 °C (95 °F) |
| Flowering | from about September for 3–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: flowers (tea, jelly, syrup) |
| Native to | China, the Himalaya and Japan |
| Common in gardens of | 🇨🇳 China, 🇯🇵 Japan |
Is Sweet osmanthus toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Sweet olive is listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA.
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 Sweet osmanthus
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
See Sweet osmanthus in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- The Huntington (2 plants)
- Gardens by the Bay (1 plants)
- Fairy Lake Botanical Garden (3 plants)
- Missouri Botanical Garden (2 plants)
- Kew: glasshouses and rock garden (1 plants)
Questions about Sweet osmanthus
- How far apart should I plant Sweet osmanthus?
- About 2.5 m (8.2 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft).
- Does Sweet osmanthus need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Sweet osmanthus need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Sweet osmanthus?
- It tolerates about -10 °C (14 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 8.
- When does Sweet osmanthus flower?
- From about September for 3–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Sweet osmanthus 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. Sweet olive is listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA.
- What grows well with Sweet osmanthus?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Sweet osmanthus. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-form values; cultivars and local conditions differ.
- Fragrant clusters in autumn, sometimes with a lighter spring flush; often kept pruned smaller than the wild form.
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 lilac Syringa vulgaris
- Common privet Ligustrum vulgare
- Forsythia Forsythia x intermedia
- Common jasmine Jasminum officinale
- Olive Olea europaea
- Arabian jasmine Jasminum sambac
- Early lilac (Chinese lilac) Syringa oblata
- Night jasmine (parijat) Nyctanthes arbor-tristis