Liquidambar styraciflua 'Thea'

RHS Plant Profile
sweet gum 'Thea'

Save a plant

Where do you want to save Liquidambar styraciflua 'Thea'?

Plants I own
Wishlist
Go to My Plants
sweet gum 'Thea' RHS / Joanna Kossak
sweet gum 'Thea' RHS / Joanna Kossak
sweet gum 'Thea' RHS
sweet gum 'Thea' RHS
Trees
Thank you - your purchase supports our charity work Buy this from RHS Plants Shop
Buy online from £79.99Buy this from Plant Nurseries
12 Suppliers

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

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

Higher than 12 metres

Max Spread

wider than 8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
20–50 years
Max Spread
wider than 8 metres
Max Height
Higher than 12 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

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