When does Sassafras albidum bloom?

Sassafras albidum typically blooms in April and May, producing small yellow-green flower clusters that appear before or as the leaves emerge.

What pollinators visit Sassafras albidum?

Bees and butterflies visit the flowers of Sassafras albidum, and the tree also serves as a larval host plant for the spicebush swallowtail butterfly.

How much light and water does Sassafras albidum need?

Sassafras albidum grows best in part sun with medium soil moisture, but it tolerates conditions from full sun to part shade and handles drier soils once established.

Does Sassafras albidum keep its leaves year round?

No, Sassafras albidum is deciduous. Its leaves turn shades of yellow, orange and red in autumn before dropping for winter.

How large does Sassafras albidum get?

Sassafras albidum is typically a medium to large tree, often reaching 30 to 60 feet tall at maturity with a rounded to irregular crown.

Is Sassafras toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Sassafras as toxic to livestock.

Is Sassafras HOA-friendly?

Sassafras takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Sassafras

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Sassafras albidum

Last reviewed: August 2026

Sassafras albidum is a deciduous tree that produces small yellow-green flowers in April and May, growing best in part sun with medium moisture, well-drained soil.

Toxicity unknown

Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Sassafras as toxic to livestock.

Light

part sun

Water

medium

Size

240"–600" H × 240"–480" W

Bloom

Apr, May

Native to

AL, AR, CT, DE and 29 more states

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

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Sassafras is a medium to large native tree known for its distinctive mitten-shaped leaves and brilliant orange-red fall color. It produces small yellow-green flowers in spring followed by dark blue berries, and can spread by root suckers to form colonies if not managed.

Growing Sassafras

Grow Sassafras in part sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 240 to 600 inches tall and spread 240 to 480 inches wide. Expect moderate maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Sassafras takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: moderate. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Spreads aggressively by root suckers
Can become quite large for typical residential lots
May appear too informal for structured landscapes

Wildlife value

Host plant for tiger swallowtail, spicebush swallowtail, palamedes swallowtail.

The flowers attract bees and butterflies in spring, while the berries feed various bird species. Sassafras serves as a host plant for spicebush swallowtail butterfly caterpillars.

Common questions

When does Sassafras albidum bloom?: Sassafras albidum typically blooms in April and May, producing small yellow-green flower clusters that appear before or as the leaves emerge.
What pollinators visit Sassafras albidum?: Bees and butterflies visit the flowers of Sassafras albidum, and the tree also serves as a larval host plant for the spicebush swallowtail butterfly.
How much light and water does Sassafras albidum need?: Sassafras albidum grows best in part sun with medium soil moisture, but it tolerates conditions from full sun to part shade and handles drier soils once established.
Does Sassafras albidum keep its leaves year round?: No, Sassafras albidum is deciduous. Its leaves turn shades of yellow, orange and red in autumn before dropping for winter.
How large does Sassafras albidum get?: Sassafras albidum is typically a medium to large tree, often reaching 30 to 60 feet tall at maturity with a rounded to irregular crown.
Is Sassafras toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Sassafras as toxic to livestock.
Is Sassafras HOA-friendly?: Sassafras takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

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