How much sun does White Willow need?

White Willow grows best in full sun conditions.

When does White Willow bloom?

White Willow blooms in April and May.

Is White Willow toxic to livestock?

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

What pollinators does White Willow attract?

White Willow draws bees and beetles.

Is White Willow HOA-friendly?

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

White Willow

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Salix alba

Last reviewed: August 2026

Toxicity unknown

White Willow (Salix alba) 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 White Willow as toxic to livestock.

Light

full sun

Water

high

Size

360"–720" H × 240"–480" W

Bloom

Apr, May

Pollinators

bees, beetles

Native alternatives to White Willow

White Willow is not native to the United States. These natives fill a similar role in a planting, matched on bloom season, bloom color and mature size.

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

White willow is a large, fast-growing deciduous tree with graceful, drooping branches and narrow silvery-green leaves. It produces small catkins in spring and prefers moist soils, making it ideal for wet areas where other trees struggle. This tree can become quite massive at maturity, reaching 30-60 feet tall with an equally wide spread.

In an HOA neighborhood

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

Works well in: backyard only.

Extremely large mature size inappropriate for most residential lots
Aggressive root system can damage foundations and plumbing
Messy with falling branches and catkins

Wildlife value

The spring catkins provide early nectar for bees and beetles when few other flowers are available. The tree also supports various bird species and provides habitat for wildlife.

Common questions

How much sun does White Willow need?: White Willow grows best in full sun conditions.
When does White Willow bloom?: White Willow blooms in April and May.
Is White Willow toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag White Willow as toxic to livestock.
What pollinators does White Willow attract?: White Willow draws bees and beetles.
Is White Willow HOA-friendly?: White Willow takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

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

Ready to grow White Willow? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

Add this plant to your garden

iPhone app Android app

Planning a bed around it? Start a free plan with this plant

Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz