Styrax japonicus, Japanese snowdrop tree
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Broadleaf Deciduous Trees

Styrax japonicus

Japanese snowdrop tree

Styracaceae
Japan, Korea, and China; mountain forests and woodland edges

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At a Glance

TypeTree
HabitSpreading
FoliageDeciduous
Height20-30 feet (6-9 m)
Width20-30 feet (6-9 m)
Maturity10 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

5 - 8
Zone 5Zone 6Zone 7Zone 8
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
What's my zone? →
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts PollinatorsDeer ResistantFragrant (light)
Maintenancelow

Overview

Styrax japonicus is Japanese snowbell (Japanese snowdrop tree), a spreading deciduous tree growing 20-30 feet (6-9 m) tall and 20-30 feet (6-9 m) wide with a horizontal layered branching habit. White bell-shaped pendant flowers 0.75 inch (2 cm) with yellow stamens in clusters of 3-6 along the undersides of the horizontal branches in May-June. Lightly fragrant. The flowers hang beneath the branches and are most visible from below. Dark green simple ovate alternate finely serrated leaves 1-3 inches (2.5-7 cm). Small gray-green drupes 0.5 inch (1.3 cm) in fall. Turns yellow in fall. In Styracaceae. Native to Japan, Korea, and China. Requires acidic well-drained soil (pH 5.0-6.5) — iron chlorosis in alkaline conditions. This acid-soil requirement is the primary limitation. Does not tolerate hot dry conditions — leaf scorch in exposed hot sites. Not drought-tolerant — consistent moisture required. The pendant flowers are not visible at a distance or from a flat viewing angle — the tree is positioned on slopes or elevated sites to allow viewing from below. No significant pest or disease problems. Deer-resistant. Non-toxic. Zones 5-8. Full sun to partial shade. Growth rate is moderate.

Native Range

Native to Japan, Korea, and China. Found in mountain forests and woodland edges.

Suggested Uses

Grown as a specimen tree and patio tree on slopes or elevated sites (for viewing pendant flowers from below), spaced 20-30 feet (6-9 m). Horizontal layered branching. Requires acidic soil. Position above eye level for flower visibility. Non-toxic. Zones 5-8.

How to Identify

Identified by white bell-shaped pendant flowers hanging beneath horizontal spreading branches on a small deciduous tree with dark green ovate alternate leaves. The horizontal layered branching habit and the pendant flowers visible from below are diagnostic. Distinguished from S. obassia (upright habit, much larger leaves 4-8 inches / 10-20 cm, flowers in pendant racemes). In Styracaceae.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height20' - 30'
Width/Spread20' - 30'

Reaches mature size in approximately 10 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~2 weeks
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SpringSummer
Late spring to early summer (May-June). White bell-shaped pendant flowers 0.75 inch (2 cm) with yellow stamens in clusters of 3-6 beneath horizontal branches. Lightly fragrant. 2 weeks. Bee-pollinated. Gray-green drupes follow.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White, bell-shaped, pendant, 0.75 inch (2 cm), with yellow stamens; borne in clusters of 3-6 along the undersides of the horizontal branches

Foliage Description

Dark green, simple, ovate, alternate, 1-3 inches (2.5-7 cm), finely serrated; turns yellow in fall — fall color unremarkable

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full SunPartial Shade
Requires 4-8 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 - 6.5(Acidic)
357912
Soil Types
loam
Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

5-7 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Full sun to partial shade (4-8 hours — afternoon shade in hot climates). Acidic well-drained soil pH 5.0-6.5 — iron chlorosis in alkaline conditions. Not drought-tolerant — consistent moisture required. Leaf scorch in hot dry exposed sites. No significant pest or disease problems. Prune in winter (January-February). Deer-resistant. Non-toxic. Zones 5-8.

Pruning

Prune in winter (January-February). Minimal pruning needed — the horizontal layered branching habit is natural. Remove dead or crossing branches. Maintain the low-branching habit to allow viewing of the pendant flowers from below.

Pruning Schedule

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winter

Maintenance Level

low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic