97 saves
Leucothoe
We track 7 varieties; the ones most used by real gardeners.
The 7 most-saved Leucothoe varieties
Track your Leucothoe in Sow
Save the Leucothoe you grow and get care reminders timed to your zone.
How to grow Leucothoe
Whats common across all Leucothoe varieties in our catalog — drawn from the care records of the 7 most-grown of them.
The Leucothoe year
- MulchApril and November100% of varieties
Maintain a consistent layer of acidic mulch like pine straw or bark.
- PlantMarch, April, September and October100% of varieties
Plant in spring or fall in moist, acidic, well-drained soil.
- PruneMay86% of varieties
Prune lightly after flowering to shape or remove any dead tips.
Do
- Provide consistent moisture; do not let the soil dry out completely.
- Ensure the soil is acidic (pH 4.5-6.0) for best health.
- Use as a groundcover under large trees like oaks and pines.
- Appreciate its strong resistance to deer browsing.
- Plant in acidic, humus-rich soil.
Avoid
- Do not plant in full sun, which will scorch the leaves.
- Avoid planting in alkaline (high pH) soils.
- Don't let it get too dry, especially in the summer.
- Refrain from heavy pruning, which will spoil its natural arching form.
What goes wrong with Leucothoe
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Lace Bugs | Yellow or white stippling on the upper leaf surface; dark, varnish-like spots of excrement on the underside. | Encourage beneficial insects. Use insecticidal soap or horticultural oil, ensuring good coverage on the leaf undersides. |
| Scale Insects | Crusty bumps on stems, sticky honeydew, sooty mold. | Apply horticultural oil in early spring. For heavy infestations, use a systemic insecticide containing imidacloprid. |
| Vine Weevil | Notches chewed in leaf margins by adults; wilting plant from larvae eating roots. | Apply beneficial nematodes to the soil to control larvae. Use sticky traps on pot rims for adults. |
| Fungal Leaf Spot | Brown or black spots on leaves, sometimes with a purple border. Can cause defoliation in severe cases. | Improve air circulation. Water at the base of the plant to keep foliage dry. Rake up and destroy fallen leaves. Apply a fungicide if necessary. |
| Root Rot | Wilting, poor growth, and leaf drop, caused by overly saturated, poorly drained soil. | Prevention is the only cure. Ensure the planting site has good drainage. Amend heavy clay soils before planting. |
| Phytophthora Root Rot | Sudden wilting, poor growth, and discolored roots. | Prevention is critical. Ensure excellent drainage. There is no cure for infected plants. |
Making more Leucothoe
Semi-hardwood Cuttings
- Take 4-6 inch cuttings in mid-summer from the current season's growth.
- Remove the lower leaves and wound the base slightly.
- Dip in rooting hormone and insert into a mix of peat and perlite.
- Keep in a humid environment; rooting takes 8-10 weeks.
Division of suckers
- In early spring, identify a rooted sucker at the edge of the clump.
- Use a sharp spade to sever it from the parent plant.
- Dig up the sucker with its roots intact.
- Replant immediately in a new location and water well.
Leucothoe questions
How many types of Leucothoe are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 7 distinct Leucothoe varieties. The most popular — ranked by 97 real gardeners — are shown first above.
What zones does Leucothoe grow in?
Across its varieties, Leucothoe covers USDA Zones 5–9. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Leucothoe bloom?
Most Leucothoe varieties bloom in mid-spring, late spring. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Leucothoe should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.