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American Planetree

Also known as

American Sycamore, American Sycamore, American planetree, Western plane, Occidental plane, Buttonwood and Water beech

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Platanus occidentalis

Genus

Platanus

Family

Platanaceae

Order

Proteales

How to care for American Planetree

💦 Water

How often to water your American Planetree

American Planetree 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 American Sycamore in your home

American Planetree love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

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

American Planetree does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

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

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize American Planetree

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for American Planetree: 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 American Planetree after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

💡 FAQs

⭐ Difficulty Level

American Planetree can be challenging to care for, according to some plant parents. Check out the reviews down below to learn from their experiences!

How to Grow American Sycamore →

Benefits of Growing American Sycamore →

Common American Sycamore Problems →

Outdoor Care Guide for American Sycamore →

💦 Water Needs

American Planetree 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.

American Sycamore Water Frequency →

American Sycamore Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

American Planetree 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 🏡.

American Sycamore Light Requirements →

American Sycamore Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

American Planetree 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.

Is American Sycamore Edible? →

American Sycamore Toxicity to Cats →

American Sycamore Toxicity to Dogs →

American Sycamore Toxicity to Humans →

🪴 Soil

American Planetree does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!

Best Soil Mix for American Sycamore →

Best Pots for American Sycamore →

When and How to Successfully Repot American Sycamore →

What Are Healthy American Sycamore Roots →

💩 Fertilizer

American Planetree is a fast growing plant and may deplete the nutrients in its soil over time. Replenish them with a gentle organic fertilizer or compost every 1-2 months depending on your location and season. Fertilize more often during the growing season and in warmer and brighter climates.

How Much and When to Fertilize American Sycamore →

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

American Planetree grows along the ground and sends out shoots which will spread across the soil.

American Sycamore Lifecycle →

American Sycamore Size Guide →

How and When to Prune American Sycamore →

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

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

American Sycamore Temperature Tolerance →

American Sycamore Hardiness Zones →

Landscaping Ideas with American Sycamore →

When to Plant American Sycamore →

How to Plant American Sycamore →

Where to Plant American Sycamore →

Winter Care for American Sycamore →

Best Companion Plants for American Sycamore →

Is American Sycamore a Weed? →

🌱 Propagation

The seeds of American Planetree can be used to grow new plants! After your plant flowers, any seeds that formed can be collected and germinated in potting soil.

How to Propagate American Sycamore →

🍂 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 American Planetree, 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.