What hardiness zones is Rhus glabra suitable for?

Rhus glabra is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

How much water does Rhus glabra need?

Rhus glabra has Very Low water needs.

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Deciduous Shrubs

Rhus glabra

smooth sumac

Anacardiaceae

North America (all 48 contiguous US states, southern Canada, northern Mexico)

At a Glance

TypeShrub

HabitUpright

FoliageDeciduous

Height9-15 feet (2.7-4.6 m)

Width9-15 feet (2.7-4.6 m)

Maturity5 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

3 - 9

Zone 3

Zone 4

Zone 5

Zone 6

Zone 7

Zone 8

Zone 9

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators

Attracts Butterflies

Deer Resistant

Drought Tolerant

Native to North America

Maintenancelow

Overview

Rhus glabra is a deciduous, suckering large shrub or small tree reaching 9-15 feet (2.7-4.6 m) tall with a spread of 9-15 feet (2.7-4.6 m), forming loose, open, flat-topped colonies through root suckers. This is the only shrub or tree native to all 48 contiguous United States. Stems are smooth and glabrous (hairless) — the key distinction from the closely related Rhus typhina (staghorn sumac), which has densely hairy stems. Young stems have a waxy, blue-green bloom. Leaves are alternate, pinnately compound, 12-18 inches (30-46 cm) long, with 11-31 lanceolate, sharply serrate leaflets, each 2-5 inches (5-13 cm) long. Foliage is dark green above with a whitish bloom beneath, turning vivid scarlet, orange, and crimson in fall — among the most reliably vivid fall color displays of any native shrub. Plants are dioecious. Male and female flowers are small, yellowish-green, borne in dense terminal panicles 6-10 inches (15-25 cm) long in June to July. Female plants produce dense, erect, conical clusters of fuzzy, dark red drupes that persist through winter and into the following spring. Growth rate is fast at 12-24 inches (30-61 cm) per year. Spreads aggressively by root suckers, forming extensive colonies; containment measures or placement away from gardens is necessary. Not related to poison sumac (Toxicodendron vernix), which has smooth white berries and occurs in wetlands.

Native Range

Native throughout North America, from all 48 contiguous United States into southern Canada and northern Mexico. Occurs on dry, disturbed sites including roadsides, forest margins, old fields, rocky slopes, and railroad embankments from sea level to 7,500 feet (2,300 m). A pioneer species that colonizes disturbed ground rapidly.

Suggested Uses

Planted for erosion control on slopes, highway embankments, and disturbed sites where aggressive suckering is an asset rather than a problem, spaced 6-10 feet (1.8-3 m) apart. Fall color and persistent winter fruit clusters are the primary ornamental features. Wildlife value is high: fruit is consumed by over 30 bird species, and dense colonies provide cover. Not suitable for foundation plantings, formal gardens, or small residential lots due to aggressive suckering. The cultivar 'Laciniata' has finely dissected leaflets for a more refined texture.

How to Identify

Identified by smooth, hairless stems with a waxy blue-green bloom (distinguishing it from the hairy-stemmed Rhus typhina), pinnately compound leaves with 11-31 sharply serrate leaflets, and dense terminal clusters of fuzzy dark red fruit on female plants. Distinguished from Rhus typhina by smooth stems (typhina has velvety-hairy stems). Distinguished from poison sumac (Toxicodendron vernix) by red (not white) fruit, toothed (not smooth-margined) leaflets, and dry upland (not wetland) habitat.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height9' - 15'

Width/Spread9' - 15'

Reaches mature size in approximately 5 years

Colors

Flower Colors

green

yellow

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

scarlet

orange

red

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

Summer

Small yellowish-green flowers in dense terminal panicles appear in June to July, lasting 2-3 weeks. Plants are dioecious; only female plants produce the ornamental red fruit clusters. Fruit clusters are erect, conical, 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) long, ripening in August to September and persisting through winter. Fruit is consumed by birds in late winter when other food sources are depleted.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Yellowish-green

Foliage Description

Dark green above, whitish bloom beneath

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Partial Shade

Requires 4-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.0 - 8.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loamsandclayrocky

Drainage

well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Very Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Water during the first growing season only. Established plants are highly drought-tolerant and require no supplemental care. Plant in full sun with at least 6 hours of direct light; part shade is tolerated but reduces fall color and fruit production. Tolerates a wide range of soil types including poor, dry, rocky, and alkaline soils. Spreads aggressively by root suckers; install a root barrier or site in an area where spreading is acceptable (slopes, naturalized areas, highway medians). Mow around the colony perimeter to control spread. Essentially pest- and disease-free.

Pruning

Prune in late winter (January through February). The colonial, suckering habit makes conventional pruning largely impractical; management consists primarily of removing unwanted suckers at the colony perimeter. Cut entire colony to the ground in late winter every 3-5 years to rejuvenate and control height; vigorous regrowth occurs from the root system. Remove dead stems at any time.

Pruning Schedule

winter

Maintenance Level

low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic