Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants

Liquidambar styraciflua 'Thea'

sweet gum 'Thea'

A deciduous tree to 20m tall, broadly conical in outline, with glossy green leaves with long central lobes, which turn deep shades of red and purple in autumn

Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
Higher than 12 metres
Time to ultimate height
20–50 years
Ultimate spread
Wider than 8 metres
Growing conditions
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Green
Autumn Red Purple
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Hamamelidaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus

Liquidambar are deciduous trees grown for their alternate, maple-like leaves which take on brilliant and long-lasting autumn colour; flowers and fruits are inconspicuous

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in full sun for best autumn colour

Propagation

Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings in summer or by grafting in winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Architectural
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Low Maintenance
Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.