Does it need a lot of water?

Yes, it loves moist to wet soil and is perfect for boggy areas.

Can I grow it in a small garden?

It grows quite large, so it is better suited for larger spaces or near ponds.

Plant guide

Grey sallow.

Salix atrocinerea

Pronounced SAY-liks a-tro-sin-EER-ee-uh

Also known as Grey Willow, Large Gray Willow, Rusty Sallow, Rusty Willow, large grey willow

Rusty Willow — Photo by Naturalista (CC BY) via iNaturalist

The grey sallow is a hardy shrub that loves damp spots and thrives near water. It is a great choice if you want to support local pollinators in the early spring. You will find it is quite adaptable to different soil types as long as they stay moist.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Deciduous shrub
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 2 to 5 days
Mature size: 3 to 10 meters
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 5 to 9
Bloom time: Early to mid spring

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist because this plant naturally grows in wet areas. Watch for wilting leaves as a sign that it needs more water. Prune back older branches in late winter to encourage fresh, vigorous growth for the coming season.

Watering: Keep the soil damp at all times, especially during dry spells.
Feeding: Apply a balanced fertilizer once in early spring to support new growth.
Pruning: Trim back in late winter to maintain shape and encourage dense branching.
Repotting: Repot only if the plant becomes root bound in its container.
Soil: Moist, heavy, or clay soils
Soil pH: Acidic to neutral
Temperature: -20 to 30°C
Humidity: 60 to 90%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 30 to 50 years.
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water running straight through the pot without soaking in.

Safety

People: The plant is not considered toxic, but the bark contains salicylates which can cause reactions in sensitive individuals.
Children: The catkins are small and could pose a minor choking hazard if ingested by small children.
Contact allergens: The fuzzy catkins may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: The wind dispersed pollen can be a significant allergen for those sensitive to tree pollen.
Edibility: The bark contains salicin and should be avoided by those with aspirin allergies.

How to identify it

Oval leaves with greyish hairs
Dark grey bark on mature stems
Yellow catkins appear before leaves
Stems often have small ridges

Height: 3 to 10m
Spread: 2 to 6m
Leaves: dark green, greyish green, deciduous
Flowers: yellow, grey, 1 to 3cm
Fruit: brown, late spring

Problems to watch for

Willow anthracnose · Fungal infection causing dark spots on leaves and twig dieback.
Aphids · Small insects that feed on sap and can cause leaf curling.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, seed
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: It is very hardy and requires no special protection during the winter months.
In containers: It is not well suited for containers due to its large size and high water requirements.

Hardwood cuttings

Take a 20cm cutting from a dormant stem in late winter.
Push the cutting into moist soil, leaving one or two buds above the surface.
Keep the soil consistently wet until roots establish.

Plant this willow near a pond or stream to help manage water runoff and provide habitat for local wildlife.

Grows well with

Yellow Iris · They both thrive in the same wet soil conditions.
Marsh Marigold · This plant provides a lovely carpet of color beneath the willow.

Similar species

Goat Willow · It is a related species that shares similar habitat preferences.

Science

Family: Salicaceae
Genus: Salix
Order: Malpighiales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Western Europe and North Africa.
Conservation: It is common and widespread in its native range and not of conservation concern.

It acts as a pioneer species in wetlands, helping to dry out and stabilize saturated ground.

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

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 5/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 9/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need a lot of water?: Yes, it loves moist to wet soil and is perfect for boggy areas.
Can I grow it in a small garden?: It grows quite large, so it is better suited for larger spaces or near ponds.

Where the name comes from

The name Salix is the ancient Latin name for willow, while atrocinerea refers to the dark grey color of the foliage.

Good to know

It is commonly known as the grey willow because of the fine hairs on its leaves.
The species name atrocinerea means dark grey.
Willows have been used for centuries to make flexible rods for weaving baskets.
It thrives in damp conditions where other trees might struggle.

Keep your grey sallow growing

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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.