Poison Sumac

About Poison Sumac

Poison Sumac is a deciduous, erect shrub or small tree found in bogs, marshes, swamps, and thickets along river banks. The leaves are dark green, alternate, and compound with 7-13 leaflets. The flowers are greenish-yellow with 5 petals and appear in dangling panicles. Birds and rabbits are attracted to the ripening yellowish-white drupes. Poison Sumac contains the toxin Urushiol.

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Toxicodendron vernix

Genus

Toxicodendron

Family

Anacardiaceae

Order

Sapindales

Also known as

poison-ash and swamp sumac

How to care for Poison Sumac

💦 Water

How often to water your Poison Sumac

Poison Sumac 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?

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Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Poison Sumac in your home

Poison Sumac love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

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

Poison Sumac does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

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

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Poison Sumac

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

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💡 FAQs

⭐ Difficulty Level

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

How to Grow Poison Sumac →

Benefits of Growing Poison Sumac →

Common Poison Sumac Problems →

Outdoor Care Guide for Poison Sumac →

💦 Water Needs

Poison Sumac 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.

Poison Sumac Water Frequency →

Poison Sumac Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Poison Sumac 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 🏡.

Poison Sumac Light Requirements →

Poison Sumac Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Poison Sumac is extremely dangerous if consumed. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian immediately. Poison Sumac is not recommended for homes with children, cats, or dogs.

Is Poison Sumac Edible? →

Poison Sumac Toxicity to Cats →

Poison Sumac Toxicity to Dogs →

Poison Sumac Toxicity to Humans →

🪴 Soil

Poison Sumac 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 Poison Sumac →

Best Pots for Poison Sumac →

When and How to Successfully Repot Poison Sumac →

What Are Healthy Poison Sumac Roots →

💩 Fertilizer

Poison Sumac 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 Poison Sumac →

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Poison Sumac grows vertically and new growth will emerge from the top of the plant.

Poison Sumac Lifecycle →

Poison Sumac Size Guide →

How and When to Prune Poison Sumac →

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Poison Sumac can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 3a-8b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Poison Sumac Temperature Tolerance →

Poison Sumac Hardiness Zones →

Landscaping Ideas with Poison Sumac →

When to Plant Poison Sumac →

How to Plant Poison Sumac →

Where to Plant Poison Sumac →

Winter Care for Poison Sumac →

Best Companion Plants for Poison Sumac →

Is Poison Sumac a Weed? →

🌱 Propagation

The seeds of Poison Sumac 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 Poison Sumac →

🍂 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 Poison Sumac, 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.