Sassafras

Sassafras albidum

Medium-sized eastern North American tree with mitten-shaped aromatic leaves and spectacular orange-red autumn colour.

Hardiness ratings

Sassafras hardiness across the four zone systems
SystemRatingTemperature rangeHow to read it
USDA hardiness zone Zone 4–9 −34.4 °C to −1.1 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone
RHS hardiness rating H6 −20 °C to −15 °C Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance
Canadian plant hardiness zone Zone 4–8 −29 °C to −1 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone
Australian (ANBG) zone Zone 2–5 −10 °C to 10 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone

Growing notes

  • Larval host plant for the spicebush swallowtail and the promethea moth
  • Aromatic leaves and bark were the original flavouring of root beer
  • Root bark contains safrole — its food and beverage use is now restricted by the FDA
  • Spreads by suckers — can form thickets

Categories

Related plants

Cross-check Sassafras against your zones

Reference

Sassafras on Wikipedia