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Swamp Tupelo

About Swamp Tupelo

The Blackgum tree is a deciduous tree and can reach 50 to 80 feet tall in cultivation. It is found in dry upland forests, savannas, swamp margins, and upland depressions. It can also be found in the hills and mountains on dry slopes with oaks and hickories. It has a flowering habit that is polygamodioecious. The nectar from the flowers is sought after by bees and Tupelo honey is highly prized.

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Nyssa sylvatica

Genus

Nyssa

Family

Nyssaceae

Order

Cornales

Also known as

Tupelo, Black tupelo, Black gum and Sour gum

How to care for Swamp Tupelo

💦 Water

How often to water your Swamp Tupelo

Swamp Tupelo needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Swamp Tupelo in your home

Swamp Tupelo love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Swamp Tupelo does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Swamp Tupelo in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Swamp Tupelo

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Swamp Tupelo: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Swamp Tupelo after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

💡 FAQs

⭐ Difficulty Level

Swamp Tupelo is generally considered an easy-to-care-for plant and makes a great choice for beginners!

How to Grow Swamp Tupelo →

Benefits of Growing Swamp Tupelo →

Common Swamp Tupelo Problems →

Outdoor Care Guide for Swamp Tupelo →

💦 Water Needs

Swamp Tupelo prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Swamp Tupelo Water Frequency →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Swamp Tupelo requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Swamp Tupelo Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Swamp Tupelo is not known to cause harm to humans or pets. Regardless, if you, a family member, a cat, or dog has ingested any plant material, please consult a doctor or a veterinarian.

🪴 Soil

Swamp Tupelo is very sensitive to dry soil, so choose a potting soil that retains moisture. A good soil will still drain well and contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir or sphagnum moss.

Best Pots for Swamp Tupelo →

When and How to Successfully Repot Swamp Tupelo →

What Are Healthy Swamp Tupelo Roots →

💩 Fertilizer

Swamp Tupelo grows very slowly and doesn’t require added fertilizer. Replacing your plant’s potting soil once a year should provide them with more than enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Swamp Tupelo grows along the ground and sends out shoots which will spread across the soil.

Swamp Tupelo Lifecycle →

Swamp Tupelo Size Guide →

How and When to Prune Swamp Tupelo →

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Swamp Tupelo can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 4a-9a. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Swamp Tupelo Temperature Tolerance →

Swamp Tupelo Hardiness Zones →

Landscaping Ideas with Swamp Tupelo →

When to Plant Swamp Tupelo →

How to Plant Swamp Tupelo →

Where to Plant Swamp Tupelo →

Winter Care for Swamp Tupelo →

Best Companion Plants for Swamp Tupelo →

Is Swamp Tupelo a Weed? →

🌱 Propagation

🍂 Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.

Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Swamp Tupelo, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.

Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.