Can I plant this near my house?

No, the roots are very aggressive and can damage pipes or foundations.

Prune in late winter while the tree is dormant to shape it or remove dead wood.

Plant guide

White willow.

Salix alba

Pronounced SAY-liks AL-buh

Also known as Cricket-Bat Willow, European willow, White Willow

The white willow is a beautiful, fast growing tree that loves being near water. It is famous for its silvery leaves that shimmer in the wind and its broad, spreading crown. You will often see these trees gracing the banks of rivers and streams.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Deciduous tree
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 50 to 80 feet
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 2 to 9
Bloom time: Early to mid spring

Care

Plant this tree in a spot with plenty of moisture and full sun. Keep an eye out for pests like aphids or signs of willow scab. Prune away any dead or damaged branches during the dormant season to keep it healthy.

Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during dry spells.
Feeding: Apply a balanced fertilizer once in early spring before new growth starts.
Pruning: Prune in late winter to remove dead wood and shape the canopy.
Repotting: Repotting is only necessary for young trees in containers before they are moved to the landscape.
Soil: Moist, well draining soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 8.0
Temperature: -35 to 30°C
Humidity: 60 to 90%

Safety

People: The bark is medicinal but should not be ingested by those with aspirin allergies.
Pets: This plant is generally considered non toxic to cats and dogs.
Children: The long, flexible branches can be a tripping hazard or eye poke risk for small children playing near the tree.
Contact allergens: The bark and leaves can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: The pollen is a common allergen for many people during the spring months.
Edibility: The bark contains salicin, which can cause reactions in people sensitive to aspirin.

How to identify it

Silvery white undersides on leaves
Narrow, lance shaped serrated foliage
Flexible, drooping yellowish twigs
Deeply furrowed, grayish brown bark

Height: 15 to 25m
Spread: 10 to 20m
Leaves: green, silvery, deciduous
Flowers: yellow, green, 2 to 5cm
Fruit: brown, late spring

Problems to watch for

Willow Anthracnose · Fungal infection causing dark spots and leaf drop.
Aphids · Small insects that suck sap from new growth.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, seed
When to plant: spring, autumn

Pair this tree with other moisture loving plants to create a naturalistic rain garden or pond edge.

Grows well with

Common Reed · They both thrive in the wet, boggy soils found along riverbanks.
Yellow Flag Iris · This iris loves the same moisture levels and provides a nice color contrast.

Similar species

Crack Willow · It is a similar large willow that also prefers wet habitats.

Science

Family: Salicaceae
Genus: Salix
Order: Malpighiales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Europe, Western and Central Asia.
Conservation: This tree is common and not of conservation concern.

It thrives in riparian zones where its roots can access constant moisture to support its rapid growth.

Value to wildlife: early nectar source, larval host plant
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: ornamental, basketry, erosion control, woodworking

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 3/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 8/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 9/9
Nutrients: 6/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Can I plant this near my house?: No, the roots are very aggressive and can damage pipes or foundations.
How do I prune it?: Prune in late winter while the tree is dormant to shape it or remove dead wood.

Where the name comes from

The name Salix is the ancient Latin name for willow, while alba refers to the white color of the leaf undersides.

Good to know

White willow bark has been used for centuries to help manage pain.
The name comes from the silvery white undersides of the leaves.
These trees love water and are often found near streams or ponds.
They grow very quickly in the right conditions.

Keep your white willow growing

This page is a general guide. Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked.

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This guide was generated with AI on October 19, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.