Witch Hazel Plant Care and Growing Tips

On This Page

How to Grow a Witch Hazel Plant

Hamamelis Vernalis [witch Hazel] — *Hamamelis vernalis* (Vernal witch hazel)

Scientific name: Hamamelis spp.
Growing zones: 3 to 9
Light needs: Full to part shade
Grown for: Showy, fragrant flowers that provide colorful winter interest
Foliage: Gray-green leaves that turn yellow-orange in cool weather
Cultivars to try: Common witch hazel blooms in fall; Chinese and Japanese varieties flower in late winter.

These deciduous shrubs grow best in full sun to part shade. They generally produce more blooms when planted in the sun.

Witch hazels are undemanding, tough, and tolerate a variety of climates. They also tolerate most soils, although they prefer moist soils for optimum growth.

When Do Witch Hazels Bloom?

Chinese Witch Hazel (hamamelis Mollis) — Chinese witch hazel (*Hamamelis mollis*)

Witch hazel plant — also known as witchhazel, or witch-hazel — brings a welcome pop of yellow at winter’s end. Spring-flowering types explode with fragrant, spiderlike flowers in yellow, copper or red as early as January, while common witch hazel blooms from September through November.

Pests and Diseases

Witch hazel has no known serious disease issues, although gardeners might want to look out for Japanese beetles and powdery mildew. Deer typically leave it alone.

Benefits of Growing Witch Hazel

blue jay in witch hazel — Blue jay on a native witch hazel shrub

Many gardeners appreciate the color witch hazel plant brings to their yards, especially at a time when few other flowers or shrubs are blooming. Blooms on some varieties exude a spicy fragrance, although those interested in growing the Chinese or Japanese varieties should note that they do not have a scent.

Also, be patient. Native common witch hazel plants, also known as American witch hazel, (Hamamelis virginiana) do not begin flowering until they are six years old.

In addition, birds snack on witch hazel seeds, which look like small brown capsules, in early spring. Look for pollinators on the flowers, too; it is a host plant for several types of moths and butterflies. Some birds also use the shrub for nesting, or as a means of taking shelter from predators.

Their gray-green leaves turn yellow-orange in cool weather, which provides incredible fall color.

RELATED:

Sources

Arbor Day Foundation, “Witchhazel“
U.S. Forest Service, “American Witchhazel“
North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, “Hamamelis virginiana (Common witchhazel)”
The Morton Arboretum, “Common witch-hazel“

Author

Emily Hannemann

Emily Hannemann is a digital editor for Birds & Blooms. She holds a master's degree in magazine journalism from the University of Missouri - Columbia, as well as undergraduate degrees in journalism and English. In her spare time, she enjoys researching fun facts about corvids.

Reviewer

Melinda Myers

Melinda Myers is a nationally known, award-winning garden expert, speaker, TV/radio host and author of more than 20 books. She is the instructor for The Great Courses How to Grow Anything DVD and Instant Video series and host of the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moments TV and Radio segments. With a master’s degree in horticulture and ...

Fact Checker

Kirsten Schrader

Now Birds & Blooms' content director, Kirsten has been writing about birding and gardening for 17 years. Her writing and editing roles have spanned the print and digital landscape. Although she has traveled to see amazing birds throughout the U.S., Kirsten has one dream bucket list bird—the male painted bunting.