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Witch Hazel

About Witch Hazel

Witch-Hazel is a deciduous tree that may grow 15 to 20 feet tall. In winter, it produces a woody, brown capsule containing two shiny black seeds. It prefers well-drained, moist, acidic soil, full sun or partial shade, and attracts no serious pests.

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Hamamelis virginiana

Genus

Hamamelis

Family

Hamamelidaceae

Order

Saxifragales

Also known as

Common witch-hazel and American witch-hazel

How to care for Witch Hazel

💦 Water

How often to water your Witch Hazel

Witch Hazel 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 Witch Hazel in your home

Witch Hazel love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

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

Witch Hazel does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

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

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Witch Hazel

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

What blooms after it has dropped its leaves? This Witch Hazel just started to bloom on the #River , #FallColors , #WitchHazel

Browse #WitchHazel

💡 FAQs

⭐ Difficulty Level

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

How to Grow Witch Hazel →

Benefits of Growing Witch Hazel →

Common Witch Hazel Problems →

Outdoor Care Guide for Witch Hazel →

💦 Water Needs

Witch Hazel 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.

Witch Hazel Water Frequency →

Witch Hazel Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Witch Hazel 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 🏡.

Witch Hazel Light Requirements →

Witch Hazel Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Witch Hazel 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

Witch Hazel 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 Witch Hazel →

Best Pots for Witch Hazel →

When and How to Successfully Repot Witch Hazel →

What Are Healthy Witch Hazel Roots →

💩 Fertilizer

Witch Hazel 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!

How Much and When to Fertilize Witch Hazel →

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Witch Hazel grows vertically and new growth will emerge from the top of the plant.

Witch Hazel Lifecycle →

Witch Hazel Size Guide →

How and When to Prune Witch Hazel →

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

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

Witch Hazel Temperature Tolerance →

Witch Hazel Hardiness Zones →

Landscaping Ideas with Witch Hazel →

When to Plant Witch Hazel →

How to Plant Witch Hazel →

Where to Plant Witch Hazel →

Winter Care for Witch Hazel →

Best Companion Plants for Witch Hazel →

Is Witch Hazel a Weed? →

🌱 Propagation

The seeds of Witch Hazel 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 Witch Hazel →

🍂 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 Witch Hazel, 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.