Summersweet
Clethra alnifolia
Family: Clethraceae
Summersweet grows in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, acidic, organic-rich soil. Water needs: Moderate to high.
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How to Grow Summersweet
Summersweet growing information includes sunlight requirements of Full sun to partial shade, soil conditions listed as Moist, acidic, organic-rich soil with a soil pH of 4.5-6.5, and Moderate to high water needs. The listed hardiness zones are 3-9. For propagation reference, the database lists germination or establishment information for Summersweet as 30-60 days after cold stratification, with planting or establishment depth listed as Surface sow; needs light to germinate. Days to maturity are listed as 2-3 years to flowering from seed.
Plant Overview
Summersweet (Clethra alnifolia) is listed in the Clethraceae family and categorized as a shrub with a perennial deciduous shrub life cycle. This profile summarizes growing information for hardiness, light, soil, water, seed starting, maturity, and other available cultivation details. Difficulty is listed as Easy.
- Plant ID
- PLT-0314
- Family
- Clethraceae
- Plant type
- Shrub
- Life cycle
- Perennial deciduous shrub
- Difficulty
- Easy
Growing Conditions
Summersweet is listed for full sun to partial shade conditions. Water needs are listed as moderate to high. The database soil reference is Moist, acidic, organic-rich soil. The listed soil pH range is 4.5-6.5, and the listed hardiness range is 3-9.
- Hardiness zones
- 3-9
- Sunlight
- Full sun to partial shade
- Soil
- Moist, acidic, organic-rich soil
- Soil pH
- 4.5-6.5
- Water needs
- Moderate to high
Seed & Germination
For seed starting, the listed germination time is 30-60 days after cold stratification and the seed depth is Surface sow; needs light to germinate. The listed time to maturity is 2-3 years to flowering from seed. Use these values as general reference points and adjust for local climate, seed source, and growing conditions.
- Germination
- 30-60 days after cold stratification
- Seed depth
- Surface sow; needs light to germinate
Harvest & Propagation
- Days to maturity
- 2-3 years to flowering from seed
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Growing Reference Note
Plant performance can vary with climate, soil, weather, cultivar, seed quality, and gardening methods. The values on this page are general database reference ranges rather than a substitute for local extension guidance or seed-packet instructions.