34 gardener saves
Liquidambar: the varieties gardeners actually grow
We track 3 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 3 most-saved Liquidambar varieties
Of 3 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedSweetgum
Liquidambar styraciflua 'Moraine'
#2 most savedWorplesdon Sweetgum
Liquidambar styraciflua 'Worplesdon'
#3 most savedSweetgum
Liquidambar styraciflua 'Rotundiloba'
How to grow Liquidambar
What the Liquidambar varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 3 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Liquidambar year
- PruneJanuary and February100% of varieties
Prune in winter to remove any dead or crossing branches and maintain form.
- FertilizeMarch67% of varieties
Fertilize in early spring with a balanced fertilizer if growth is slow.
- PlantMarch, September and October67% of varieties
Plant in spring or fall in a sunny, moist location.
Do
- Provide ample space for its large, mature size.
- Water during prolonged dry spells, even on mature trees.
- Plant in acidic soil for the best fall color.
- Appreciate the unique leaf shape and clean, fruitless nature.
- Provide consistent water, especially during establishment and dry spells.
Avoid
- Do not plant in highly alkaline soils, which can cause chlorosis.
- Avoid planting in confined spaces or under power lines.
- Don't plant in dry, sandy soils without providing supplemental irrigation.
- Avoid major pruning, as it can spoil the natural pyramidal form.
What goes wrong with Liquidambar
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Fall Webworm | Large, silken tents enclosing branch tips in late summer and fall. | Prune out and destroy small nests; use a stick to break open large nests for birds; spray with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). |
| Webworms | Large, silken nests enclosing branch tips in late summer and fall. | Prune out and destroy small nests. Use a long pole to break open large nests to allow predators in. Apply Bt or spinosad. |
| Leaf Spot | Dark spots on leaves, can cause some premature leaf drop. | Generally not serious. Rake and dispose of fallen leaves in the fall to reduce fungal spores. |
| Cankers | Sunken, dead areas on branches or trunk, sometimes with oozing. | Prune out affected branches. Avoid wounding the tree and maintain good vigor through proper watering and care. |
| Bleeding Canker | Oozing, cankerous areas on the trunk or large limbs. | There is no chemical control. Improve tree vigor with proper watering and avoid wounding the bark. |
Making more Liquidambar
Grafting
- Collect dormant scion wood from 'Rotundiloba' in winter.
- Use a seedling Liquidambar styraciflua as rootstock.
- Perform a whip-and-tongue graft in late winter.
- Wrap the union securely and seal with wax.
- Keep in a greenhouse until the graft takes.
Softwood cuttings
- Take 6-inch cuttings in late spring or early summer.
- Wound the base and dip in rooting hormone.
- Stick in a well-drained medium.
- Use bottom heat and mist for best results.
Liquidambar questions
How many types of Liquidambar are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 3 distinct Liquidambar varieties. The most popular — ranked by 34 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Liquidambar grow in?
Across its varieties, Liquidambar 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 Liquidambar bloom?
Most Liquidambar varieties bloom in mid-spring. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Liquidambar 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.
Keep exploring
Liquidambar shows up in
By hardiness zone
Design with Liquidambar in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
