Summersweet
About Summersweet
Sweet pepperbush is a deciduous shrub that may grow to 5 to 10 feet. It is native to eastern North America from Maine south to Florida and west to Texas. Small, white flowers occur in dense clusters on long 3 to 6 inch terminal spikes mature in late summer. The flowers produce high quality nectar and pollen that supports hummingbirds, butterflies, bees and other pollinators.
Taxonomy
Clethra alnifolia
Clethra
Clethraceae
Ericales
Also known as
Coastal Sweet Pepperbush, Coastal Sweet Pepperbush, Coastal sweetpepperbush and Summer Sweet
How to care for Summersweet
How often to water your Summersweet
every 9
Summersweet 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
Finding light for Coastal Sweet Pepperbush in your home
a window
Summersweet love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.
Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.
Summersweet does not tolerate low-light 🚫.
Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Summersweet in your home 🏡.
How to fertilize Summersweet
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 Summersweet after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.
Care Summary for Summersweet
Summersweet
Greg recommends:
Water
0.5 cups every 9 days
Placement
< 1ft from a window
Nutrients
Repot after 2x growth
Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.