Poison Sumac (Toxicodendron vernix)

How much light does a Poison Sumac need?

Poison sumac prefers full sun, which means six or more hours of direct sunlight a day. Part shade is also listed as an acceptable condition for this species. The listed range runs from full sun to part shade, with full sun preferred. This deciduous shrub or small tree reaches up to about 20 ft (6.1 m) in height.

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

How often to water a Poison Sumac

Poison sumac is listed for medium to wet moisture. The source names the conditions as moist and wet. Soil drainage is recorded as moist and occasionally wet. A dry site falls outside the listed range of medium to wet. The plant is a deciduous shrub or small tree. Full sun is preferred alongside that moisture.

• Water: Medium to wet²

Best soil for a Poison Sumac

Poison sumac is recorded with moist and occasionally wet soil drainage. Its water listing runs from medium to wet moisture. Moist soil and occasionally wet soil are the two drainage conditions listed. Wet is the upper end of the moisture range for this plant. The same listing prefers full sun and accepts part shade. No soil pH range is documented for this species. Its growth rate is listed as moderate.

• Soil drainage: Moist and occasionally wet¹

Hardiness and temperature

Poison sumac is listed for USDA hardiness zones 3a through 8b. That range covers 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b and each half-zone step up to 8b. It is a deciduous shrub or small tree. Full sun is the preferred light condition. The zone range is the temperature guide this page can give. No minimum temperature is documented for this species. Its growth rate is listed as moderate.

• Hardiness: Zones 3a–8b¹

How to plant a Poison Sumac

Check that your USDA zone falls between 3a and 8b, the listed range. Poison sumac is a deciduous shrub or small tree. It reaches a height of up to about 20 ft (6.1 m). The record lists it as native in the lower 48 states of the US. Full sun is preferred, and part shade is also listed. Soil drainage is recorded as moist and occasionally wet. Its growth rate is listed as moderate.

• Hardiness: Zones 3a–8b¹

Winter care

Poison sumac is a deciduous shrub or small tree. It is listed for hardiness zones 3a through 8b. That range includes zones 3 and 4 as well as zones 7 and 8. No minimum temperature is documented for this species. Full sun is the preferred light condition. Its growth rate is listed as moderate. The moisture range runs from medium to wet.

• Hardiness: Zones 3a–8b¹

How to propagate a Poison Sumac

Seed is the propagation method recorded for poison sumac. Seed is the only method named for this species. Its growth rate is listed as moderate. It is a deciduous shrub or small tree. It reaches a height of up to about 20 ft (6.1 m). It is listed for USDA hardiness zones 3a through 8b. No seed treatment or sowing detail is documented.

• Propagation: Seed¹

Common problems

No known diseases or insect pests are recorded for poison sumac. Both the pest list and the disease list are empty. This page therefore lists no pest or disease to watch for. The plant is a deciduous shrub or small tree. Its moisture range runs from medium to wet. Full sun is preferred, with part shade also listed.

• Common pests: ¹
• Common diseases: ¹

Questions and answers

Is poison sumac toxic to cats and dogs?

The ASPCA lists poison sumac as non-toxic to cats and non-toxic to dogs. The NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox also tags it non-toxic for both. Those listings describe cats and dogs separately.

How much sun does poison sumac need?

Full sun is preferred, which means six or more hours of direct sunlight a day. Part shade is also listed for this species. Its moisture range runs from medium to wet.

Which hardiness zones suit poison sumac?

Poison sumac is listed for USDA zones 3a through 8b. It is a deciduous shrub or small tree that reaches up to about 20 ft (6.1 m).