How fast does it grow?

It is a fast growing tree that can add several feet of height each year.

Does it need a lot of space?

Yes, it requires a large area to accommodate its massive mature size.

Plant guide

London planetree.

Platanus × acerifolia

Pronounced PLA-ta-nus his-PAN-ih-ka

Also known as Platanus × acerifolia, London planetree, London plane

Platanus × hispanica — Photo by zebedeugalinha (CC BY) via iNaturalist

The London planetree is a magnificent, large shade tree often seen lining city streets. It is a hybrid between the American sycamore and the Oriental plane. You will love its unique, peeling bark that creates a beautiful camouflage pattern.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Deciduous tree
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 70 to 100 feet
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 5 to 9
Bloom time: Mid to late spring

Care

Plant this tree in a spot with plenty of space for its roots to spread. Keep an eye out for leaf spots or powdery mildew during humid weather. It is quite tolerant of urban pollution and compacted soil.

Watering: Water deeply during the first few years until the tree is well established.
Feeding: Apply a balanced slow release fertilizer in early spring if growth seems sluggish.
Pruning: Prune during the dormant winter season to remove dead or crossing branches.
Repotting: This tree is meant for outdoor landscapes and is not suitable for container culture.
Soil: Deep, moist, well drained soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: -25 to 35°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Long lived, often over 100 years.
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Safety

People: The tree is generally considered non-toxic, but the fine hairs on young leaves and fruit can cause irritation.
Children: The small, fuzzy fruit balls can be a choking hazard if ingested by small children.
Contact allergens: Fine hairs on the leaves and fruit can cause skin irritation if handled.
Airborne allergens: The pollen is a common airborne allergen during the spring flowering season.
Edibility: The fruit is not considered edible for humans.

How to identify it

Exfoliating bark with mottled patterns
Large, palmately lobed maple like leaves
Spherical fruit clusters hanging on stalks
Sturdy, spreading canopy structure

Height: 15 to 35m
Spread: 12 to 25m
Leaves: green, deciduous
Flowers: yellow, green, 1 to 2cm
Fruit: brown, Autumn to winter

Problems to watch for

Lace BugCommon
Sycamore AnthracnoseCommon
CankerUncommon
Leaf ScorchUncommon
Powdery MildewUncommon
Scale InsectsUncommon

Anthracnose · A fungal infection causing leaf blight and twig dieback during cool, wet springs.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, seed
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: No special winter care is needed for established trees as they are quite hardy.
In containers: It is not suitable for containers due to its massive size and extensive root system.

Hardwood cuttings

Take 30cm cuttings in late winter.
Insert into moist, well draining soil.
Keep in a sheltered spot until rooted.

Plant shade tolerant groundcovers beneath the canopy to suppress weeds and retain soil moisture.

Grows well with

English Ivy · It can tolerate the deep shade cast by the large canopy.
Hosta · These perennials thrive in the dappled light beneath the tree.

Similar species

American Sycamore · It is one of the parent species and looks very similar.
Oriental Plane · It is the other parent species with similar growth habits.

Science

Family: Platanaceae
Genus: Platanus
Order: Proteales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Hybrid origin, likely in Spain or France.
Conservation: This is a widely planted hybrid and is not of conservation concern.

It thrives in riparian zones and urban environments where it can access deep soil moisture.

Value to wildlife: nesting site for birds
Pollinators: bees
Uses: shade tree, street tree, ornamental specimen

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 3/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 6/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

How fast does it grow?: It is a fast growing tree that can add several feet of height each year.
Does it need a lot of space?: Yes, it requires a large area to accommodate its massive mature size.

Where the name comes from

The name hispanica refers to its suspected Spanish origin, while Platanus comes from the Greek word for broad, referring to its leaves.

Good to know

It is incredibly tolerant of urban pollution and compacted soil.
The bark peels away in large patches to reveal a mottled, camouflage pattern.
It is often called the London Plane tree because it was widely planted in London during the 19th century.

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This guide was generated with AI on September 22, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.