Lindera

( lin - DEER - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus, commonly called Spicebush, Spicewood, or Benjamin Bush, includes species of deciduous shrubs and small trees that need full sun to partial shade and regular water to perform well in the landscape. They are grown for their beautiful fall foliage that smells of spice when crushed. Female plants will sprout berries after flowering if a male plant is close by. They are great for woodland gardens or for filling large areas in a shrub border, in rain gardens, as erosion control on sloped areas, or in native or wildlife habitats. Take care when planting these shrubs and trees in the landscape, as there are some sources that list this plant as being toxic to humans and pets if ingested.

Lindera Species and Varietals

The genus Lindera includes between 80 and 100 distinct species, and is a member of the plant family Lauraceae. Plants in the genus are related to those in Persea (Avocado), Sassafras, Litsea, and Cinnamomum (Camphor, Cinnamon). The genus name commemorates Swedish doctor Johan Linder. Spicebush growing zones vary depending on the species. For more information, consult the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Lindera benzoin (Spicebush, Common Spicebush, Northern Spicebush, Wild Allspice, Benjamin Bush)
This species is native to eastern North America, where it prefers to grow in rich, moist understory environments. It reaches between 6 and 12 feet tall at maturity, and produces yellow-green flowers. Leaves and stems are very aromatic when crushed, and smell of spice and citrus. Fall color is bright yellow. Common Spicebush grows well in USDA hardiness zones 4-9.

Lindera melissifolia (Litsea melissifolia) (Pondberry, Southern Spicebush, Pond Spicebush, Jove's Fruit)
These aromatic herbs are native to the southeastern United States, where they are considered to be endangered due to drainage of wetland areas for agriculture and forestry activities. Individual plants reach up to 6.6 feet tall and have few branches. Leaves are green, and fragrant flowers are tiny and bright yellow. Best in USDA zones 7b-9a.

Lindera obtusiloba (Japanese Spicebush, Blunt-Lobed Spicebush, Dankoubai, 壇香梅, だんこうばい, Sān yā wū yào, 三桠乌药)
Native to Japan, China, and Korea, this shrub grows best in USDA hardiness zones 6-9 or Sunset growing zones 3b-6 and 14-17. It reaches 10-20 feet tall and bit narrower at maturity and has beautiful yellow fall color that holds for about two weeks. Fruits mature from red to black.

Caring for Lindera

Take care when planting these shrubs and trees in the landscape, as there are some sources that list this plant as being toxic to humans and pets if ingested. Lindera shrubs are dioecious, meaning that male and female flowers grow on different shrubs. For female plants to produce berries, there must be a male plant nearby for pollination. Space these shrubs 4-6 feet apart for a solid, dense hedge or 6 to 8 feet apart for naturalized plantings or specimens. These plants will form spreading colonies over time; if planting in a smaller garden or to simply prohibit this tendency, consider installing a heavy duty root barrier installed 30-36 inches deep and extending slightly above the soil line to prevent roots from jumping over. Plant these shrubs and small trees in a space in the landscape that receives partial to full shade; ideally, they appreciate between 4 and 6 hours of morning sun or dappled sun all day. When these flowers are grown in less light, they will not flower as profusely. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 6.0 and 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention.

Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, these plants perform well in consistently moist soils. As a general rule of thumb, irrigate whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. Pruning is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage at any time during the growing season. These plants have a beautiful habit unpruned. The best time for a rejuvenation pruning is in late winter or early spring. Lindera trees have a slow to moderate growth rate, reaching their full size in 5-7 years. They can survive for several decades (30 to 50 years or more) in the garden, and can regenerate through root sprouts. They will naturally spread to form colonies, providing shrubs that can be dug up and replanted elsewhere in the landscape indefinitely.

Caring for Lindera in Containers
Lindera shrubs are wonderful in the ground, but can also be grown in containers. Choose a container that is at least a few inches wider and deeper than the nursery pot or root ball. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow for excess water to flow away. Fill with a well-draining potting mix amended with organic material and perlite, and top with a layer of mulch to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water regularly as the plant establishes itself in its new home. Once established, waterings can be lessened. Lindera plants grown in containers will need more frequent irrigation than those grown in the ground. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Prune to remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time during the growing season. Every few years, check the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not outgrowing its root space. If roots are growing through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, it is a good indication that it needs to be potted up; choose a slightly larger container and repot.

Propagation

Lindera can be propagated either by using cuttings or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your shrub, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Lindera by Cutting

Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. A good substrate for propagation of cuttings is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
In spring or early summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new shrub.

Propagating Lindera by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Harvest your fruits. The seeds are contained within the fruits; pick them as soon as they are red, and squeeze the seed out of the fruiting body. Plant the seeds immediately following the instructions below.
Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes until the following spring. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.