Spicebush Profile for Pennsylvania

Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) is a deciduous shrub that Penn State Extension describes across Pennsylvania. It grows as a rounded shrub about 6–12 feet tall and can spread by root suckers. Confirm the county-level range and nursery source for a particular planting.

Site profile

Field	Source description
Soil and moisture	Best in moist, calcium-rich soil.
Light	Full sun to deep shade. In deep shade the plant may be more open.
Fruit	Plants are male or female; female plants can produce red fruit when pollinated.
Browse	Deer may browse smaller or newer plants and may pass over larger plants. This is variable behavior, not deer resistance or protection.
Growth	Root suckers can expand the planting beyond the original stems.

Form and suckering are schematic; the source does not provide a mature width or spread distance.

Spicebush’s tolerance of shade does not remove the need to plan for its mature size and suckering. The source’s browse observation is not a guarantee, and its range statement does not establish that every plant source is locally native. Verify local occurrence and decide whether there is room for a spreading shrub before planting.