Larix decidua

RHS Plant Profile
European larch

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European larch RHS 1999

Other common names

common larch, Venice turpentine

Conifers Trees
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A deciduous conifer making a large conical tree, broadening with age, with cream young shoots bearing soft, light green needle-like leaves in whorls, turning yellow in autumn. Flowers small, cones to 4cm, erect

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

Higher than 12 metres

Max Spread

4-8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
more than 50 years
Max Spread
4-8 metres
Max Height
Higher than 12 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing or North–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed
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)
H7

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Pinaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Larix are deciduous trees of conical habit, with good autumn colour from the soft, needle-like leaves which are borne in whorls on spur-like lateral shoots and spirally arranged on young growth; small ovoid cones persist on the branches
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Alps, Carpathians

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in any deep, well-drained soil in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by seed in containers in early spring, graft in winter, or root semi-ripe cuttings in summer under mist; cuttings are difficult to root

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Coastal
  • Architectural
  • Low Maintenance

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to adelgids

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus in gardens where it is present but insufficient data to determine degree of susceptibility