How to Grow and Care for Sassafras

Plant Care

Sassafras is a low-maintenance native tree that thrives in the right conditions and rewards gardeners with year-round beauty. It thrives in slightly acidic soil that’s well drained and in areas with full sun or partial shade. Once established, it is drought-tolerant and requires minimal intervention. However, it can spread via underground suckers, so you may need to manage its growth if you’re cultivating it in a smaller garden.

Its aromatic foliage repels certain pests and makes it deer-resistant. Plus, it's an excellent wildlife plant — hosting butterfly larvae and providing berries for birds in fall.

Light

For Sassafras, it’s best when grown in full sun to partial shade. The more sun it gets, the more colorful its fall show will be. In shady areas, it will still grow but may become leggier and less colorful in autumn.

Soil

It likes soil that is slightly acidic, loamy and well-drained, although it can adapt to clay or sandy soils with some amendment. Soil rich in organic matter encourages better growth, particularly when the tree is young. Do not plant in poorly drained or persistently wet locations.

Watering

Sassafras likes consistent moisture--especially when young. During dry weather, water heavily once a week to promote deep root systems. Once established, it’s somewhat drought-tolerant, but does well with some occasional watering during prolonged droughts.

Pruning

Sassafras requires little pruning. Remove dead, damaged or crossing branches in late winter or early spring before growth starts.

If you wish to keep your tree in single-trunk form, be sure to remove suckers growing up from the base and along lateral roots, as Sassafras has a natural tendency to form thickets. Alternatively, if you prefer a more naturalistic shrub-like form, allow suckers to grow and form a colony.

Propagating

Sassafras can be propagated by root suckers or by seed, though seed germination takes patience.

To propagate from suckers:

• In spring or fall, dig up a sucker with roots attached.
• Replant it in prepared soil at the same depth it was growing.
• Keep moist until established.

To propagate from seed:

• Collect seeds in fall and remove the outer pulp.
• Cold stratify for 3–4 months before sowing.
• Germination can be slow and uneven.

Growing in Pots

While not ideal for long-term container growing due to its deep roots and spreading habit, you can grow Sassafras in large pots for a few years:

• Choose a deep pot with good drainage.
• Use well-draining loamy potting mix with compost.
• Put it in full sun and water regularly, keeping the soil lightly moist, not soggy.

Watch for suckering and root expansion; it may eventually need to be transplanted to open ground.

Overwintering

Sassafras is fully hardy in USDA zones 4–9, and requires no special overwintering care when grown in the ground.

• To insulate roots, young trees benefit from a thick layer of mulch around the base (but not touching the trunk).
• In pots, relocate containers to a protected location or insulate them with straw or burlap in colder climates.

Blooming

Sassafras produces tiny yellow-green flowers in early spring before the leaves fully emerge. While not showy, these flowers are rich in nectar and lure early pollinators.

Sassafras is dioecious — that is,male and female flowers appear on separate trees. Only female trees produce dark blue berries, which ripen in late summer and which birds adore.

Common Issues

Sassafras is quite trouble-free, however, a few problems can occur:

• Suckering → The tree naturally produces root suckers, leading to thicket formation. This can be controlled by cutting them at the base or mowing them down in case unwanted.
• Verticillium Wilt → A soil-borne fungus that can produce wilting or branch dieback. There’s no cure, so it’s best to cut out affected parts and not plant in infested soil.
• Leaf spots or mildew → Occasionally appear in high humidity but they’re usually minor. Avoid overhead watering to ensure good air circulation and remove affected leaves.
• Tent caterpillars or gypsy moths → These insects can occasionally defoliate young trees, but are rarely fatal. Pick off egg masses or use BT-based treatments early in the season.

Summary

The Sassafras tree is a living piece of American history — aromatic, ornamental, ecologically important. With its unusual leaf shapes, its spring flowers, fall color and cultural legacy, it’s a tree that does a lot more than just stand still. It feeds pollinators, shelters birds, flavors traditional dishes (with care) and creates visual magic from season to season.

Sassafras is an absolutely interesting addition to any garden, whether growing it for its roots in folklore or its roots in the landscape. Let it grow, let it sucker (if you want it to), let it share its centuries-old charms with your modern outdoor space.