American sweetgum Liquidambar styraciflua
American sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) is a deciduous perennial tree in the Altingiaceae family, native to SE United States to Central America. It grows 18–25 m (59–82 ft) tall and 12–18 m (39–59 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -30 °C (-22 °F). Space plants about 12 m (39 ft) apart.
Plan American sweetgum in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
American sweetgum at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Altingiaceae |
| Mature height | 18–25 m (59–82 ft) |
| Mature spread | 12–18 m (39–59 ft) |
| Spacing | 12 m (39 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance moderate |
| Soil pH | 5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About -30 °C (-22 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 40 °C (104 °F) |
| Flowering | from about April for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | SE United States to Central America |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇫🇷 France, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom |
Is American sweetgum 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 American sweetgum
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
See American sweetgum in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden (1 plants)
Questions about American sweetgum
- How far apart should I plant American sweetgum?
- About 12 m (39 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 12–18 m (39–59 ft).
- Does American sweetgum need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does American sweetgum need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance moderate.
- How cold-hardy is American sweetgum?
- It tolerates about -30 °C (-22 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.
- When does American sweetgum flower?
- From about April for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is American sweetgum 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 American sweetgum?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for American sweetgum. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) 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
Notes and assumptions
- Star-shaped leaves turn yellow, scarlet and purple together in autumn; spiky "gumball" fruits.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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