Sweetgum — Growing reference
| Scientific name | Liquidambar styraciflua |
|---|---|
| Seed germination (days) | 30–60 |
| Soil temperature for germination (°C) | 10–21.1 |
| First harvest or flowering (days) | 1095–1825 |
| Measured from | Transplant |
| Plant spacing (cm) | 914.4–1828.8 |
| Mature height (cm) | 1828.8–2286 |
| Mature spread (cm) | 914.4–1524 |
| USDA hardiness zones | 5–9 |
| Light | Full sun |
| Water | Moderate |
| Sowing method | Transplant |
Growing directions
Plant in moist, slightly acidic, well-drained to moderately moist soil in full sun; sweetgum is one of the most visually spectacular native trees for fall color in the South, producing star-shaped leaves that turn a stunning mosaic of yellow, orange, red, and burgundy-purple — often all colors simultaneously on a single tree — rivaling the best maples in fall display. It is a major component of bottomland and upland forests throughout the eastern United States and grows rapidly into a large, pyramidal to oval tree. The distinctive spiny spherical seed balls (gumballs) that persist through winter provide important food for goldfinches, pine siskins, and purple finches but can be a nuisance underfoot on lawns; fruitless cultivars such as 'Rotundiloba' are available for situations where the seed balls are problematic. The sweetgum is one of the most ecologically important trees for wildlife in the Southeast.
Source and local conditions
Typical planning ranges from OpenPlantDB (CC0). Cultivar, climate, season and growing method can change these values. Confirm the seed label and local guidance before planting.
OpenPlantDB · liquidambar-styraciflua
Source & verification
OpenPlantDB · CC0