Also known as Willow · 948 saves
Salix
Salix, the genus most gardeners know as willow. We track 17 varieties; the ones most used by real gardeners.
The 14 most-saved Salix varieties
Browse all 17 Salix varieties →
5 species of Salix
Each one is a parent of the varieties above.
Track your Salix in Sow
Save the Salix you grow and get care reminders timed to your zone.
How to grow Salix
Whats common across all Salix varieties in our catalog — drawn from the care records of the 17 most-grown of them.
The Salix year
- PruneJanuary and February94% of varieties
Remove damaged and crossing limbs while dormant, before growth starts.
- PropagateJanuary, February, October and November53% of varieties
Take hardwood or softwood cuttings; they root very easily in water or moist soil.
- PlantFebruary, March, April, September and October53% of varieties
Plant bare root or container stock during dormancy.
- Check for PestsApril–July41% of varieties
Monitor for aphids and scale, especially on tender new shoots.
Do
- Prune in late winter to maintain shape
- Water regularly to keep soil moist 🌱
- Mulch annually to conserve moisture
- Plant it well away from drains 🚱
- Site it beside a pond or stream 💧
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Avoid overwatering, which can cause root rot ❌
- Plant it near pipes or foundations ❌
- Plant it near a house or septic field ❌
What goes wrong with Salix
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Heavy honeydew dripping from the canopy, followed by sooty mould on whatever sits below | Nothing practical on a mature tree; avoid seating or parking directly beneath it |
| Caterpillars | Chewed leaves and webbing | Handpick or use Bacillus thuringiensis |
| Willow sawfly | Foliage grazed to the veins by pale larvae, sometimes stripping whole branches | A vigorous tree outgrows it; no treatment is practical at this size |
| Willow Leaf Beetle | Adults and larvae chew holes in leaves, sometimes skeletonizing them. | Hand-pick if infestation is small. Apply spinosad or other approved insecticides for heavy damage. |
| Canker | Sunken, dead areas on stems and branches, which can girdle and kill them. | Prune out and destroy infected branches well below the canker. Keep the plant vigorous through proper care. |
| Crown Gall | Large, woody, tumor-like growths at the soil line or on roots. | There is no cure. Remove and destroy the infected plant. Do not replant willows or other susceptible plants in the same spot. |
| Willow anthracnose | Dark leaf spots with early leaf fall and small cankers on twigs, worst after a wet spring | Rake and remove fallen leaves and thin the crown for airflow; established trees tolerate it |
Making more Salix
Cuttings
- Select healthy, semi-hardwood stems in late summer.
- Cut 6-8 inch segments and remove lower leaves.
- Dip cut ends in rooting hormone powder.
- Plant in moist, well-draining soil or water for rooting.
- Maintain humidity and indirect light for 6 weeks.
Hardwood cuttings
- Cut pencil-thick dormant stems in late winter.
- Push two-thirds deep into damp ground.
- Expect roots without any further help.
Salix questions
How many types of Salix are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 17 distinct Salix varieties. The most popular — ranked by 948 real gardeners — are shown first above.
What zones does Salix grow in?
Across its varieties, Salix covers USDA Zones 4–9. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Salix bloom?
Most Salix varieties bloom in early spring, late spring, mid-spring. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Salix 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.