wetland shrub

Northern spicebush

Lindera benzoin

Native to much of the USA

Southwestern Maine, central Michigan and southeastern Kansas, south to Florida and southeastern Texas, with disjunct populations in central Texas, widely separated from those in southeastern Texas

Light Full sun to shade Sun tolerance
Moisture Dry to wet Moisture preference
Zones 4–9 Cold to heat range
Bloom Mar–May Flowering time
Height up to 20 ft to 6.1 m
Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial

Full details, see below

In the garden

A wetland shrub for sun through shade and consistently moist to wet soil. At up to 20 ft, it needs room in rain gardens, pond edges, and damp low spots. Hardy in USDA zones 4–9.

Growing conditions

Light

Full sun Partial shade Full shade

Moisture

Dry Moist Wet

Hardiness zones

Find your zone:

Pollinators & wildlife

Bees Pure Green Sweat bee

also Western Honey Bee, Colletes inaequalis, Modest Masked Bee +2 more
Neighborly Mining Bee, Imitator Miner Bee
Butterflies Red Admiral

also Spicebush Swallowtail, Eastern Comma, Canadian Tiger Swallowtail +1 more
Lethe anthedon
Beetles Asian Lady Beetle also Ant-like Longhorn Beetle, Podabrus protensus
Also visited by
- Flower flies: Long-tailed Aphideater, Hairy-eyed Flower Fly
- Moths: Virginian Tiger Moth, Promethea Silkmoth

Butterflies that use this plant

Documented host and nectar records. Each links to a planting guide for that butterfly.

Full plant details

Where it grows

Habitat: WetlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
Native range: Much of the USAUnited States (33): AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MO, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WV. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
Native distribution: Southwestern Maine, central Michigan and southeastern Kansas, south to Florida and southeastern Texas, with disjunct populations in central Texas, widely separated from those in southeastern TexasThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.

Growing conditions

Light: Full sun to shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
Moisture: Dry to wetThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
Hardiness zones: USDA 4–9 · Canadian 5–7The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
Soil: Moist, sandy, well-drained soils. Caliche type, Limestone-based, Sandy Loam, Medium LoamThe soils it grows in naturally.
Soil texture: Light to heavy (sandy to clay)The soil grade it prefers, from sand to clay.
Soil pH: 4.5–6.0The acidity to alkalinity it tolerates (7 is neutral).
Soil quality: HighHow rich a soil it needs. Many natives prefer lean soil and flop in rich beds.
Water use: MediumHow thirsty it is, a rough guide to how often to water.
Salinity tolerance: NoneHow well it copes with salty soil, near roads or the coast.
Lime (CaCO₃) tolerance: MediumHow well it copes with chalky, lime-rich soil.

Growth & form

Height: up to 20 ft (to 6.1 m)Typical mature height.
Spread: ~10 ft (3 m)How wide one plant gets, a guide to spacing.
Life cycle: PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
Growth rate: SlowA relative ranking versus other plants of the same type (USDA), not an absolute rate.
Shape: ErectIts overall silhouette.
Root depth: 18+ in (46+ cm)How far the roots reach, a guide to drought resilience and transplanting.

Flowers, foliage & fruit

Type: ShrubWhat kind of plant it is.
Bloom: Mar–MayWhen it flowers.
Flower color: White, YellowThe bloom color, or colors.
Toxicity: None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.

Propagation & seed

Cold stratification: Required (cold, moist)Whether seed needs a cold, moist spell before it will germinate.
Propagation: Bare root, container, seedHow to start new plants.
Seed: ~0.0 million seeds per poundNotes on the seed and how to sow it.
Seed spread rate: SlowHow readily it self-sows. Slow or none means well-behaved, not a spreader.
Seedling vigor: MediumHow strongly young seedlings establish.
Vegetative spread: NoneWhether it creeps outward or stays put in a clump.