How often should I prune it?

Prune annually in late winter if you want to harvest the stems for weaving.

Does it need a lot of water?

Yes, it thrives in moist to wet soil and is perfect for rain gardens.

Plant guide

Basket willow.

Salix viminalis

Pronounced SAY-liks vim-in-AL-iss

Also known as Basket willow, Common Osier, Common Osier Willow, Osier

Salix viminalis — Photo by Stephen James McWilliam (CC0) via gbif

The basket willow is a fast growing deciduous shrub or small tree known for its long, flexible stems. It thrives in damp soil and is often found near water sources in the wild. You'll love how quickly it establishes itself in your garden.

Another photo of Basket willow — Photo by zebedeugalinha (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Deciduous shrub
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 2 to 5 days
Mature size: 15 to 20 feet
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 4 to 9
Bloom time: Early to mid spring

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist as this plant loves water. Watch for yellowing leaves which can indicate poor drainage or lack of nutrients. Prune back hard in late winter to encourage vigorous new growth for basketry.

Watering: Keep the soil constantly damp, as this willow does not tolerate drying out.
Feeding: Apply a balanced fertilizer once in early spring to support new growth.
Pruning: Cut back stems to the ground in late winter to maintain size and promote flexible new shoots.
Repotting: Repot only if you are keeping it in a container, otherwise it prefers being planted in the ground.
Soil: Moist, loamy, or clay soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: -30 to 35°C
Humidity: 40 to 80%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 20 to 40 years.
Deer and rabbits: Low

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Stunted growth despite regular watering.

Safety

People: The plant is not considered toxic, but the bark contains compounds that may irritate sensitive individuals.
Pets: This plant is generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Children: The long, whip like branches can be a tripping hazard or cause minor scratches if children play near them.
Contact allergens: The bark and foliage may cause mild skin irritation in some people.
Airborne allergens: The pollen can be a significant trigger for those with seasonal allergies.
Edibility: The bark contains salicin, which can cause reactions in people sensitive to aspirin.

How to identify it

Long, narrow, lance shaped leaves
Silvery undersides on foliage
Flexible, slender, yellowish branches
Catkins appear before leaves in spring

Height: 3 to 6m
Spread: 2 to 4m
Leaves: green, silvery-grey, deciduous
Flowers: yellow, green, 2 to 5cm
Fruit: brown, Late spring

Problems to watch for

AnthracnoseCommon
AphidsCommon
CankerUncommon
CaterpillarsUncommon
Leaf SpotUncommon
RustUncommon
Willow BlightUncommon
ChlorosisRare

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, seed
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: It is fully hardy and requires no special protection during winter. Simply clear away any fallen debris around the base.
In containers: It is not well suited for containers due to its large size and high water needs.

Hardwood cuttings

1. Take a 30 cm cutting from a dormant stem in late winter.
2. Push the cutting directly into moist, well drained soil.
3. Keep the soil consistently wet until roots establish.

Plant this willow near a pond or stream to create a natural buffer zone that filters runoff.

Grows well with

Yellow Flag Iris · They both love the same wet soil conditions.
Marsh Marigold · These provide a lovely carpet of color beneath the willow.

Similar species

White Willow · It is a larger tree species with similar moisture requirements.

Science

Family: Salicaceae
Genus: Salix
Order: Malpighiales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Europe and western Asia.
Conservation: This plant is common and not of conservation concern.

It naturally colonizes riverbanks and wet meadows where its roots help stabilize soil.

Value to wildlife: early nectar source, nesting material
Pollinators: bees
Uses: basketry, erosion control, ornamental, living fences

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 8/9
Nutrients: 6/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

How often should I prune it?: Prune annually in late winter if you want to harvest the stems for weaving.
Does it need a lot of water?: Yes, it thrives in moist to wet soil and is perfect for rain gardens.

Where the name comes from

The name Salix is the ancient Latin name for willow, while viminalis refers to its use for binding or wicker work.

Good to know

It is commonly known as the basket willow.
The specific epithet viminalis means suitable for wicker.
It grows very rapidly, sometimes several feet in a single season.
It is often coppiced to encourage long, straight, flexible shoots.

Keep your basket willow growing

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.