Balsam Poplar

About Balsam Poplar

Balsam Poplar is a super rare houseplant 🌿 that needs regular watering to thrive. They do best in long-lasting, direct light ☀️ and should be less than 1 foot from a window.

Balsam Poplar likes soil that is good at retaining moisture. Your plant shouldn't need added fertilizers if you repot each time it doubles in size.

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Populus balsamifera

Genus

Populus

Family

Salicaceae

Order

Malpighiales

Also known as

balsam poplar, bam, bamtree, eastern balsam-poplar, hackmatack, tacamahac poplar and tacamahaca

How to care for Balsam Poplar

💦 Water

How often to water your Balsam Poplar

Balsam Poplar 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 Balsam Poplar in your home

Balsam Poplar love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

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

Balsam Poplar does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

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

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Balsam Poplar

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

💡 FAQs

💦 Water Needs

Balsam Poplar 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.

Balsam Poplar Water Frequency →

Balsam Poplar Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Balsam Poplar 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 🏡.

Balsam Poplar Light Requirements →

Balsam Poplar Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Balsam Poplar 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 Balsam Poplar Edible? →

Balsam Poplar Toxicity to Cats →

Balsam Poplar Toxicity to Dogs →

Balsam Poplar Toxicity to Humans →

🪴 Soil

Balsam Poplar 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 Soil Mix for Balsam Poplar →

Best Pots for Balsam Poplar →

When and How to Successfully Repot Balsam Poplar →

What Are Healthy Balsam Poplar Roots →

💩 Fertilizer

Balsam Poplar should be repotted after it doubles in size or once a year, whichever comes first. Fresh potting soil has all the nutrients your plant needs, so as long as it’s refreshed yearly, you shouldn’t need to use fertilizer. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

How Much and When to Fertilize Balsam Poplar →

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Balsam Poplar will branch off as it grows. To encourage branching, pinch off the newest growth at the tip and the stem will branch off into two.

Balsam Poplar Lifecycle →

Balsam Poplar Size Guide →

How and When to Prune Balsam Poplar →

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Balsam Poplar can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 2a-7b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Balsam Poplar Temperature Tolerance →

Balsam Poplar Hardiness Zones →

Landscaping Ideas with Balsam Poplar →

When to Plant Balsam Poplar →

How to Plant Balsam Poplar →

Where to Plant Balsam Poplar →

Winter Care for Balsam Poplar →

Best Companion Plants for Balsam Poplar →

Is Balsam Poplar a Weed? →

🍂 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 Balsam Poplar, 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.