Tamarack (American larch) Larix laricina
Tamarack (American larch) (Larix laricina) is a deciduous perennial tree in the Pinaceae family, native to Boreal North America. It grows 10–20 m (33–66 ft) tall and 5–8 m (16–26 ft) wide, wants full sun and high water, and is hardy to about -50 °C (-58 °F). Space plants about 6 m (20 ft) apart.
Plan Tamarack (American larch) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Tamarack (American larch) at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Pinaceae |
| Mature height | 10–20 m (33–66 ft) |
| Mature spread | 5–8 m (16–26 ft) |
| Spacing | 6 m (20 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance high |
| Soil pH | 4–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -50 °C (-58 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 1) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 28 °C (82 °F) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | None |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Boreal North America |
| Common in gardens of | 🇨🇦 Canada, 🇺🇸 United States |
Is Tamarack (American larch) 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 Tamarack (American larch)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and high water.
Questions about Tamarack (American larch)
- How far apart should I plant Tamarack (American larch)?
- About 6 m (20 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 5–8 m (16–26 ft).
- Does Tamarack (American larch) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Tamarack (American larch) need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance high.
- How cold-hardy is Tamarack (American larch)?
- It tolerates about -50 °C (-58 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 1.
- Is Tamarack (American larch) 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 Tamarack (American larch)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Tamarack (American larch). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- VASCAN: Database of Vascular Plants of Canada, Canadensys / Université de Montréal Biodiversity Centre
- USDA PLANTS Database, USDA NRCS
Notes and assumptions
- A deciduous conifer of bogs: soft needles turn gold in autumn and drop. Among the most cold-hardy trees on Earth.
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
- Dwarf mountain pine Pinus mugo
- Colorado blue spruce Picea pungens
- Japanese black pine Pinus thunbergii
- Eastern white pine Pinus strobus
- Scots pine Pinus sylvestris
- Norway spruce Picea abies
- Siberian larch Larix sibirica
- Two-needle piñon Pinus edulis