Overview
Styrax is a bushy trees in the genus Styrax, part of the Styracaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Styrax grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and acid and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. Suggested uses include woodland garden, cottage and informal garden, low maintenance and flower borders and beds.
About
Styrax is a genus of about 130 species of large shrubs or small trees in the family Styracaceae, mostly native to warm temperate to tropical regions of the Northern Hemisphere, with the majority in eastern and southeastern Asia, but also crossing the equator in South America. The resin obtained from the tree is called benzoin or storax, often used as a vanilla-like component in perfumery.
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Styrax
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Loam, Clay, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, East-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
Styrax size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Trees
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Suggested uses
- Woodland garden, Cottage and informal garden, Low Maintenance, Flower borders and beds
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Styrax
- Propagation
- Softwood cuttings in summer, Seed sown fresh at 15°C reducing the temperature to 0 to 5°C after 3 months
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to honey fungus in gardens where it is present but insufficient data to determine degree of susceptibility
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Styrax?
Styrax prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Styrax need?
Styrax is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including loam, clay and sand. It prefers acid and neutral soil. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained.
Is Styrax hardy in the UK?
Styrax has an RHS hardiness rating of H5, meaning it is hardy in most of the UK, tolerating -15 to -10°C.
How do I propagate Styrax?
Softwood cuttings in summer, Seed sown fresh at 15°C reducing the temperature to 0 to 5°C after 3 months.
More in the Styrax genus
- Styrax confusus
- Styrax japonicus 'Snowfall'Japanese snowbell 'Snowfall'
- Styrax 'Wespelaar'snowbell 'Wespelaar'
- Styrax benzoingum Benjamin shrub
- Styrax chinensis
- Styrax japonicus Snow Charm ('Jfs-E')
- Styrax japonicus Snowcone ('Jfs-D')