White sourwood Plant Care

White sourwood (Symplocos adenophylla) belongs to the Symplocaceae family within the Symplocos genus. White sourwood is native to China, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia. White sourwood is also known as Himalayan sweetleaf.

White sourwood displays an upright, spreading shrub growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. White sourwood produces small, fragrant white flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted White sourwood 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.

White sourwood thrives in partial shade to full sun.

Symplocos adenophylla tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F. White sourwood prefers humidity levels of 50–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Well-draining acidic soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for White sourwood to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed White sourwood 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.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with partial shade to full sun and well-draining acidic soil with high organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

White sourwood is suited to USDA Zone 10a – 12b.

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.

White sourwood can spread to about 4 ft (1.2 m) and reach about 6 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 4 ft (1.2 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.

Prune White sourwood 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.

White sourwood is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 10). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

White sourwood can be propagated through seeds, softwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to symplocos anamallayana plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

White sourwood is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, spider mites. 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.

White sourwood grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10a – 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10a. White sourwood is native to China, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia. In cooler regions, grow White sourwood as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.