Spice Bush (Lindera benzoin) seeds [INTL NO]
$8.95 – $60.00
We sell always from new crop only. Plant immediately on receipt.
Family: Laurel (Lauraceae)
Hardy to Zones 4 to 9
(Spicebush) Perennial deciduous, dioecious bush to 12 feet. Native to Appalachia and a most elegant member of the very pretty plant family known as the Lauraceae. Spice bush prefers shade to sun and moist, rich soil. In fact, and this story is a bit of an indulgence on my part, the plant was considered by the early settlers to be an indicator of rich soil, and many homesteads were located due to the proximity of these bushes. The plant bears glossy green leaves and waxy, spicy-smelling red berries. Traditional use (TWM): cold remedy. Plant prefers rich, moist to mesic soil in the part shade. Our seeds are moist and undried, packed in coir. Sow immediately on receipt. Long germination times are typical. Seeds planted in pots outdoors or in an unheated greenhouse in the autumn may not germinate until spring. Mark the planting well. Mulch deeply with rotted leaves, peat or coir. Grow in pots for a year, then transplant the 12 to 18 inch seedling to the woodland or shade garden. Prefers rich soils, moisture. Plant 6 feet apart.
Packet contains 10 seeds
10g contains ~130 seeds
Open Pollinated, Untreated, NO GMO’s
Janet Bailey (verified owner) –
I ordered these wonderful Spice Bush seeds last year and had great success. Seeds planted on 1/28/19 had all sprouted by 2/11/19 (fourteen days!).
By 3/26/19, I had large healthy seedlings (pic below) that I transplanted and grew on under the shade of our Laurel Oaks. Now healthy young trees are ready for our North Florida winter and for planting out in the spring.
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verastar (verified owner) –
Started these in peat pellets, of all things. Sowed 10 Seeds, and it’s been approx 3 weeks and I have 4 that are already about 2.5 inches tall with 2 true leaves and more coming along the straight strong stem. I figured that’s all I was getting, but suddenly 3 more sprouted a couple of days ago. Really enjoying watching these lovely seedlings come up.
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jackalvic (verified owner) –
Does that apply to peat pots? I just received mine and placed in peat pods. I plan to place in pots once up. Is it ok to keep the peat pods indoors on warming blanket until placed in pots then put outdoors?
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Richo Cech –
Hi there, The spice bush seed has been given the requisite cold conditioning and is already beginning to germinate. I am not a fan of peat pots because very few plants grow well in peat. Spice bush likes a rich soil. Yes, plant to standard pots of potting soil and keep warm and in the light. Please do not put on a heat mat, plants receive their warmth from the light above and generally do not do well when roots are heated. All such woody perennials need to be up potted several times before setting to landscape. Here’s a link to a blog I think will be helpful. Richo https://blog.strictlymedicinalseeds.com/advanced-seed-planting-tips/
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jackalvic (verified owner) –
Thanks. I have a grow light and will change to that from the heat of. Thanks so much.
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Honey –
Will spice bush grow well in zone 7 TN? It does SOMETIMES get as cold as 20 here but it isn’t as cold as Ohio and WV was.
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Richo Cech –
Hello Honey, Yes, spice bush is native to TN–you are right smack dab in the middle of the natural distribution of the plant. r
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Willow –
The description says it grows to 12 ft high, but how wide does it generally get? ie how far apart should I plant it from other bushes/trees/plants?
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Richo Cech –
Hi Willow, I generally put plant spacing at the very end of the monograph, in this case “Plant prefers rich, moist to mesic soil in the part shade. Prefers rich soils, moisture. Plant 6 feet apart.” richo
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