Escondido Creek Wholesale Growers
$275.00–$1475.00Distance unavailable · 826 South Andreasen Drive, Escondido, CA 92029
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trefle.io · Taken Apr 11, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Claude ECHARDOUR (cc-by-sa)
Altingiaceae
Alligator-wood
Liquidambar styraciflua
Also known as Liquidambar macrophylla, American sweetgum, Liquidambar styraciflua var. mexicana, Liquidambar tuberculata
Zones 4–9Sun Full SunWater ModerateCare Low
Native Plants · Trees & Shrubs · Deciduous Tree · Fall Color · Shade Tree · Sweetgum · Autumn Foliage · Landscape Tree · Native Tree · Large Tree · Ornamental
Pet-safeBeginner-friendlyMedicinalAttracts pollinators
In stock at 2 nurseriesStock updated 9/6/2026
Sweetgum (Alligator-wood) is a low-maintenance deciduous tree that thrives in full sun to part shade with regular watering during its first few years until established. It is prized for its stunning star-shaped leaves that turn brilliant red, orange, and purple in autumn. Plant it in moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil and give it plenty of space, as it can reach 60–80 feet tall at maturity.
Growing conditions
The details behind the basics
- Daily light
- 6 hours
- Watering
- Deep water to saturate the root zone, then allow soil to partially dry between waterings · Every 7-10 days during establishment; drought tolerant once mature
- Maintenance
- Low
- Soil
- loam
- Soil pH
- 4.5–7
- Temperature
- -25°F to 85°F
- Cycle
- Perennial
- Propagation
- Seed
Hardiness
USDA 4b-9b
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Form & growth
Mature size and habit
- Mature height
- 12 in – 3 ft
- Spread
- 2 ft
- Spacing
- 240 in apart
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Root depth
- Medium
- Flowers
- No
- Foliage
- Medium
Ecology & origin
Where it belongs and what it brings
- Native to
- Alabama, Arkansas, Belgium, Belize, Connecticut, El Salvador, Florida, Georgia, Guatemala, Honduras, Illinois, Indiana, Italy, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mexico Central, Mexico Gulf, Mexico Northeast, Mexico Southeast
- Attracts
- Bees, Birds, Butterflies
Sources: trefle, usda
Buy this plant
2 nurseries carry it
Vinedale Wholesale Growers
$270.00–$1455.00Distance unavailable · 11482 Tuxford St, Sun Valley, CA 91352
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