Does sassafras need a lot of water?

It prefers moist, well drained soil but can tolerate moderate dry spells once established.

How do I control the suckers?

You can prune them at the ground level, though the tree naturally forms thickets.

Plant guide

Sassafras.

Sassafras albidum

Pronounced SASS-uh-frass AL-bih-dum

Also known as Mitten tree, Poor Man's Oak, Sassafras, Silky Sassifras, White Sassafras, cinnamon wood, mittenleaf

The sassafras is a lovely native tree known for its unique, mitten shaped leaves and vibrant fall colors. It grows best in open woodlands where it can spread its roots. You'll enjoy its aromatic bark and leaves that have been used for centuries.

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Deciduous tree
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 30 to 60 feet
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 4 to 9
Bloom time: Early to mid spring

Care

Plant your sassafras in well draining soil and keep it consistently moist while it establishes. Watch for yellowing leaves which might signal poor drainage or nutrient issues. It prefers a spot with plenty of room for its root system to expand.

Watering: Water deeply during dry spells to keep the soil consistently moist.
Feeding: Apply a balanced fertilizer once in early spring before new growth starts.
Pruning: Prune during the dormant winter season to remove dead or crossing branches.
Repotting: Repot only if the tree is in a container and has become root bound.
Soil: Moist, acidic, well drained
Soil pH: 4.5 to 6.5
Temperature: -30 to 35°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 50 to 100 years
Fragrance: Strong
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Stunted growth during the spring season.

Safety

People: All parts of the plant, especially the bark and roots, contain compounds that are toxic if ingested in quantity.
Pets: This plant is considered toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
Children: The berries may look tempting to children but should not be eaten due to potential toxicity.
Contact allergens: Handling the bark or leaves may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: The pollen can trigger seasonal allergies for some people during the spring bloom.
Edibility: The sassafras plant contains safrole, which is classified as a carcinogen by the FDA and should not be consumed.

How to identify it

Three distinct leaf shapes
Bright yellow to orange fall foliage
Aromatic bark and leaves
Dark blue berries on red stalks

Height: 9 to 18m
Spread: 6 to 12m
Leaves: green, yellow, orange, red, deciduous
Flowers: yellow, green, 0.5 to 1cm
Fruit: blue, black, late summer

Problems to watch for

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

Check your sassafras from a photo

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Growing it

Propagation: seed, root cuttings, suckers
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: No special winter care is needed as it is fully hardy in its native range. A layer of mulch can help protect the roots in exceptionally cold climates.
In containers: It is not well suited for containers due to its deep taproot and tendency to form large root colonies.

Seed propagation

1. Collect ripe fruit in late summer.
2. Clean the pulp from the seeds.
3. Sow seeds immediately in moist soil.
4. Provide cold stratification over winter.

Plant sassafras in a group to encourage its natural thicket forming habit, which provides excellent cover for local wildlife.

Grows well with

Flowering Dogwood · They share similar woodland edge habitat requirements.
Spicebush · They are often found growing together in the wild understory.

Similar species

Red Mulberry · It also features variable leaf shapes that can be confused with sassafras.

Science

Family: Lauraceae
Genus: Sassafras
Order: Laurales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Eastern North America
Conservation: Sassafras is currently stable and not listed as a conservation concern.

This tree thrives in forest edges and clearings where it can spread through its extensive root system.

Value to wildlife: larval host plant, fruit source for birds
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: ornamental shade tree, historical flavoring, wildlife habitat

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 4/9
Light: 6/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 5/9
Nutrients: 4/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does sassafras need a lot of water?: It prefers moist, well drained soil but can tolerate moderate dry spells once established.
How do I control the suckers?: You can prune them at the ground level, though the tree naturally forms thickets.

Where the name comes from

The name sassafras is thought to be a corruption of the Spanish word for saxifrage, while albidum means white, referring to the light color of the roots.

Good to know

The leaves have a pleasant, spicy scent when crushed.
Sassafras roots were once the primary flavoring for traditional root beer.
It is a pioneer species that quickly colonizes abandoned fields.
The fall foliage is exceptionally vibrant, turning shades of yellow, orange, and deep red.

Also in

Plants toxic to cats and dogs

Keep your sassafras 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.