Staghorn Sumac.

At a glance

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Deciduous shrub/small tree

Light

Full sun

Indoor light

direct

Water

Every 7 to 14 days

Mature size

15-30 ft tall and wide

Growth rate

fast

Hardiness

USDA 3 to 9

Bloom time

Early to mid-summer

Care

Staghorn Sumac thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. While it's quite drought-tolerant once established, you'll want to water it regularly during its first year. Pruning is mainly for shaping and removing any dead or damaged branches.

Watering

Water regularly when young, then less frequently once established. Allow soil to dry slightly between waterings.

Feeding

Generally not needed; can benefit from a light feeding in spring if growth is slow.

Pruning

Prune in late winter or early spring to maintain shape, remove suckers, or dead/damaged branches.

Repotting

Rarely needs repotting; best to transplant when dormant if necessary.

Soil

Adaptable to various soil types; prefers well-drained

Soil pH

4.5 - 7.0

Temperature

-34 to 29°C

Humidity

30 to 60%

Safety

People

The leaves and stems are generally considered non-toxic, though sap can cause mild irritation for some.

Pets

This plant is generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Children

Children might be tempted to eat the berries, which are only edible when cooked; supervision is advised.

Contact allergens

Sap can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Airborne allergens

Pollen is not considered a significant allergen.

Edibility

The fruit is edible when cooked, but best to avoid raw.

How to identify it

• Fuzzy, velvety young branches
• Large, compound leaves
• Fuzzy, upright red fruit clusters
• Vibrant scarlet fall color
• Spreading, colony-forming habit

Height

4.57 to 9.14m

Spread

4.57 to 9.14m

Leaves

green, red, orange, yellow, deciduous

Flowers

greenish-yellow

Fruit

red, crimson, Late summer to fall

Common problems

• Verticillium wilt — A soil-borne fungus that can cause wilting and death, with no cure once infected.
• Aphids — Small, sap-sucking insects that can cause yellowing and distorted leaves.
• Root suckering — The plant can spread aggressively through its root system, potentially becoming invasive in garden settings.

Growing it

Propagation

division, seed, cuttings

When to plant

spring, fall

Plant Staghorn Sumac where its aggressive suckering can be managed or is desired, like on slopes or in naturalized areas.

Grows well with

• Eastern Red Cedar — Both plants are tough, drought-tolerant species that can handle poor soils and provide year-round interest.
• Little Bluestem — This native grass shares similar habitat preferences and complements the sumac's texture and color.
• Wild Strawberry — Groundcover plants like wild strawberry can help suppress weeds while the sumac establishes.

Keep away from

• Shade-loving plants — Staghorn Sumac requires significant sunlight and will not thrive in the deep shade of larger trees.
• Invasive groundcovers — Aggressive groundcovers can outcompete the sumac's young seedlings and suckers.

Similar species

• Smooth Sumac — Similar in habit and ecological niche, but Smooth Sumac has smoother twigs and leaf undersides.
• Dwarf Sumac — This species has glossy foliage and is generally smaller, often with winged leaf stalks.

Science

Family

Anacardiaceae

Genus

Rhus

Order

Sapindales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Eastern North America

Conservation

This plant is not of conservation concern.

It thrives in open, disturbed areas and edges, helping to stabilize soil and provide habitat.

Value to wildlife

nectar source, fruit source for birds

Pollinators

bees, butterflies, moths

Uses

ornamental, erosion control, native landscaping

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

How big does Staghorn Sumac get?

It typically grows 5 to 15 feet tall and can spread quite wide through suckers.

Does Staghorn Sumac need full sun?

Yes, it prefers full sun to partial shade for best growth and fruit production.

How do I control its spread?

You can prune suckers regularly or plant it in containers to manage its size.

Are the berries edible?

The tart berries can be used to make a drink, but they should be cooked first.

Why is it called 'Staghorn'?

The fuzzy appearance of its young twigs is similar to the velvety antlers of a young deer (stag).

Where the name comes from

The common name 'Staghorn Sumac' refers to the velvety, antler-like twigs, while the scientific name 'Rhus' is an ancient Latin name for sumacs, and 'typhina' is thought to refer to the warty appearance of the fruit clusters, perhaps resembling a type of fig.

Good to know

• The 'staghorn' name comes from the fuzzy twigs resembling deer antlers.
• Indigenous peoples used the fruit to make a tart, lemonade-like drink.
• It's a fantastic plant for stabilizing slopes due to its extensive root system.
• The plant is dioecious, meaning you need both male and female plants for fruit production.