Waterer's Golden Chain Plant Care
Laburnum ×watereri (A.C.Rosenthal & Bermann) Dippel
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Laburnum × watereri, is a naturally occurring hybrid species of Laburnum, native to Central Europe. Its parents are common laburnum, Laburnum anagyroides, and alpine laburnum, Laburnum alpinum.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Waterer's Golden Chain?
Plant Waterer's Golden Chain in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young tree every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Waterer's Golden Chain Native To?
What Is the Waterer's Golden Chain?
Waterer's Golden Chain (Laburnum ×watereri) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Laburnum genus. Waterer's Golden Chain is native to Central Europe. Waterer's Golden Chain is also known as Waterer's Laburnum.
Waterer's Golden Chain displays a small tree, upright growth habit, reaching up to 20 ft tall with a spread of approximately 15 ft. Waterer's Golden Chain produces golden yellow pea-like flowers in pendulous racemes.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Waterer's Golden Chain?
Water a young or newly planted Waterer's Golden Chain every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Waterer's Golden Chain Need?
Waterer's Golden Chain thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Waterer's Golden Chain Prefer?
Laburnum ×watereri tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Waterer's Golden Chain prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Waterer's Golden Chain?
Well-draining loamy soil with good fertility. Good drainage is essential for Waterer's Golden Chain to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Waterer's Golden Chain?
Feed Waterer's Golden Chain every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.
Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
Where Should You Plant a Waterer's Golden Chain?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining loamy soil with good fertility. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Waterer's Golden Chain is suited to USDA Zone 12a.
Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.
How Far Apart Should You Plant a Waterer's Golden Chain?
Waterer's Golden Chain can spread to about 15 ft (4.6 m) and reach about 20 ft (6 m) tall. Space plants about 15 ft (4.6 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.
Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.
How Do You Prune a Waterer's Golden Chain?
Prune Waterer's Golden Chain while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.
If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.
How Do You Care for a Waterer's Golden Chain in Winter?
Waterer's Golden Chain is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.
How Do You Propagate a Waterer's Golden Chain?
Waterer's Golden Chain can be propagated through seeds, hardwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to alpine laburnum plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Waterer's Golden Chain Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
All parts are highly toxic if ingested
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Waterer's Golden Chain?
Waterer's Golden Chain is susceptible to aphids, caterpillars. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Waterer's Golden Chain Need?
Waterer's Golden Chain grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Waterer's Golden Chain is native to Central Europe. In cooler regions, grow Waterer's Golden Chain as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Waterer's Golden Chain is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Laburnum genus — compare its care with other Laburnum species on PlantoScan.
Laburnum is part of the Fabaceae plant family — browse all Fabaceae genera and species.
Waterer's Golden Chain thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Laburnum ×watereri (A.C.Rosenthal & Bermann) Dippel, family Fabaceae (first published in Handb. Laubholzk. 3: 673 (1893)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Waterer's Golden Chain is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
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