Weeping willow Salix babylonica
Weeping willow (Salix babylonica) is a deciduous perennial tree in the Salicaceae family, native to Northern China (river banks); widely planted by water. It grows 10–15 m (33–49 ft) tall and 10–15 m (33–49 ft) wide, wants full sun and high water, and is hardy to about -30 °C (-22 °F). Space plants about 12 m (39 ft) apart.
Plan Weeping willow in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Weeping willow at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Salicaceae |
| Mature height | 10–15 m (33–49 ft) |
| Mature spread | 10–15 m (33–49 ft) |
| Spacing | 12 m (39 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 | 5.5–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -30 °C (-22 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | from about April for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Northern China (river banks); widely planted by water |
| Common in gardens of | 🇨🇳 China, 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇫🇷 France, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇺🇸 United States |
Is Weeping willow toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: bark, leaves
Salicylates in bark and leaves; large amounts upset the stomach (cats are sensitive to salicylates).
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 Weeping willow
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and high water.
See Weeping willow in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- The Huntington (2 plants)
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden (1 plants)
- China National Botanical Garden (4 plants)
- The Butchart Gardens (1 plants)
- Fairy Lake Botanical Garden (1 plants)
- Missouri Botanical Garden (1 plants)
- Monet’s gardens at Giverny (3 plants)
- Jardin botanique de Montréal (1 plants)
Questions about Weeping willow
- How far apart should I plant Weeping willow?
- About 12 m (39 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 10–15 m (33–49 ft).
- Does Weeping willow need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Weeping willow need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance high.
- How cold-hardy is Weeping willow?
- It tolerates about -30 °C (-22 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.
- When does Weeping willow flower?
- From about April for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Weeping willow poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people mildly toxic. Salicylates in bark and leaves; large amounts upset the stomach (cats are sensitive to salicylates).
- What grows well with Weeping willow?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Weeping willow. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Notes and assumptions
- Long pendulous branchlets sweep the water; roots seek water and break drains, so plant 12 m+ from buildings and pipes.
- Monet planted weeping willows round his lily pond at Giverny.
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
- Trembling aspen Populus tremuloides
- Goat willow (pussy willow) Salix caprea
- European aspen Populus tremula
- Kei apple (umkokola) Dovyalis caffra
- Box-leaf azara (vanilla tree) Azara microphylla
- Dwarf mountain pine Pinus mugo
- Japanese maple Acer palmatum
- Black walnut Juglans nigra