Weeping Willow (Salix babylonica)

How much light does a Weeping Willow need?

Give your weeping willow a spot in full sun to part shade. Full sun is the preferred position, and the tree also tolerates partial shade well. This fast grower reaches a mature height of 30 to 50 ft (9.1 to 15.2 m). It also spreads 30 to 50 ft (9.1 to 15.2 m) wide at maturity.

• Light: Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred)^1,2

How often to water a Weeping Willow

Weeping willow prefers abundant water and does best when the soil stays medium-wet to wet rather than dry. It tolerates soil that ranges from well-drained to occasionally wet or poorly drained. Keep the soil consistently moist rather than letting it dry out. This species is a tree rather than a shrub or vine. It survives outdoors in USDA zones 6a to 8b.

• Water: Medium to wet^1,3

Best soil for a Weeping Willow

Weeping willow tolerates a wide range of soil drainage, including well-drained, moist, occasionally wet, and poorly drained ground. No cited source states a preferred soil pH for this species. It also prefers abundant water, doing best with medium-wet to wet soil moisture. This tree grows rapidly once planted. Growers typically propagate it from stem cuttings. Within the continental United States, this species is introduced, not native. It also does best with full sun to part shade above ground.

• Soil drainage: Well drained, moist, occasionally wet and poorly drained^1,2,4

Hardiness and temperature

This tree survives winters in USDA zones 6a to 8b without special protection. No cited source states an exact minimum temperature for the species. It originates from parts of China and Korea, where it is native. It is classified as a tree. It can grow 30 to 50 ft (9.1 to 15.2 m) tall and spread just as wide. Within the continental United States, it is considered introduced rather than native. It is usually propagated from stem cuttings.

• Hardiness: Zones 6a–8b¹

Pruning a Weeping Willow

Young weeping willows need initial pruning and training to develop good structure. Once they're established, light shaping is usually all the pruning this tree needs. Its rapid growth produces weak wood that can crack or break easily, especially in snow or ice. At maturity, this tree can reach 30 to 50 ft (9.1 to 15.2 m) tall and wide. It is grown as a tree rather than a shrub.

• Pruning: Light shaping⁵

How to plant a Weeping Willow

Plant weeping willow in USDA zones 6a to 8b, where it survives outdoors year-round. Choose a site with full sun to part shade and soil that stays moist to wet. Expect it to reach 30 to 50 ft (9.1 to 15.2 m) in both height and spread once established. Most growers start new trees from stem cuttings. Weeping willow is classified as a tree species.

• Hardiness: Zones 6a–8b¹

Winter care

Weeping willow is hardy through USDA zones 6a to 8b without winter protection. No cited source states how cold this species can tolerate below that range. It is native to parts of China and Korea. It is a tree, not a shrub or vine. Growers usually propagate it from stem cuttings. It needs full sun to part shade outdoors. It also prefers medium-wet to wet soil moisture.

• Hardiness: Zones 6a–8b¹

How to propagate a Weeping Willow

Most growers start new weeping willow trees from stem cuttings. This is a fast-growing tree. It needs full sun to part shade outdoors and medium-wet to wet soil moisture. Its flowers are silvery-green and not very showy. The species is native to parts of China and Korea.

• Propagation: Stem cuttings¹

Common problems

Weeping willow attracts aphids, spider mites, leaf beetles, scale insects, borers, lace bugs, and caterpillars, along with willow leaf beetle, giant willow aphid, willow bladdergall mite, and Asian longhorned beetle. It can also develop powdery mildew, leaf spot, canker, blight, crown gall, root rot, rust, and willow scab. This is a fast-growing tree.

• Common pests: aphids, spider mites, leaf beetles, scale insects, borers, lace bugs, caterpillars, willow leaf beetle, giant willow aphid, willow bladdergall mite and asian longhorned beetle^1,6
• Common diseases: powdery mildew, leaf spot, canker, blight, crown gall, root rot, rust and willow scab^1,4,7

Questions and answers

How much sun does a weeping willow need?

Weeping willow grows best in full sun, and it also tolerates part shade. It also prefers soil that stays medium-wet to wet as it grows.

How fast does weeping willow grow, and how big does it get?

This is a fast-growing tree. At maturity, it typically reaches 30 to 50 ft (9.1 to 15.2 m) in both height and spread. That rapid growth also produces weak wood that can crack or break easily in snow or ice.

What pests and diseases affect weeping willow?

Weeping willow can attract aphids, spider mites, leaf beetles, scale insects, borers, lace bugs, caterpillars, willow leaf beetle, giant willow aphid, willow bladdergall mite, and Asian longhorned beetle. It can also develop powdery mildew, leaf spot, canker, blight, crown gall, root rot, rust, and willow scab.