Salicaceae
Eared Willow (Salix aurita)
Salix aurita
Plant it in the ground in a sunny spot with moist soil. It grows fast and needs almost no attention. Avoid chalky soil and leave room, since the roots spread widely. It handles hard cold, down to about -20 °C.
Every 7 days
Bright indirect
-20° - °C
% - %
Categories
What is Eared willow?
Eared willow (Salix aurita) is a easy-care plant from the Salicaceae family. Eared willow is a low, rounded willow from Europe and Siberia. It forms a multi-stemmed shrub 2.5 to 3 m tall in damp places such as heaths, bogs, streamsides and woodland edges. The leaves are small, wrinkled and grey-green. At the base of each leaf sit two small ear-shaped flaps, and that's where...
Eared willow grows up to 3.0m, spread of 250cm, watering every 7 days. It is not suitable for indoor environments and safe for pets.
Unlike many tropical plants, Eared willow tolerates watering mistakes. Best for beginners. Unlike many popular species, Eared willow is safe to keep around pets.
How to Care for Eared willow?
TLDR: Eared willow needs Bright indirect, watering every 7 days, and temperatures between -20-30°C with 40-70% humidity.
How Often Should You Water Eared willow?
Water weekly in dry spells during the first year. After that, rain is usually enough unless a drought drags on.
How Much Light Does Eared willow Need?
It prefers sun and won't grow in deep shade.
What Is the Best Soil for Eared willow?
It likes damp, heavy soil, acidic to neutral, and copes with poor or occasionally flooded ground. It rarely does well on chalk.
What Pot Should You Use for Eared willow?
Not a pot plant. It's a shrub with a large root system and does better in the ground.
What Is Eared willow and Where Does It Come From?
Eared willow is a low, rounded willow from Europe and Siberia. It forms a multi-stemmed shrub 2.5 to 3 m tall in damp places such as heaths, bogs, streamsides and woodland edges. The leaves are small, wrinkled and grey-green. At the base of each leaf sit two small ear-shaped flaps, and that's where the name comes from. Catkins appear in spring before the leaves, on separate male and female plants. It's one of the first woody plants to move onto open, wet ground.
How to Propagate Eared willow?
Stem cutting
Willow roots easily from cuttings. No rooting hormone needed.
- 1 Cut a healthy stem in late winter
- 2 Push most of its length straight into moist soil
- 3 Keep the soil wet until it sprouts
Materials needed:
How Big Does Eared willow Grow?
TLDR: Eared willow can reach up to 3.0m tall with Fast growth rate.
Max height
3.0m
Spread
2.5m
Growth rate
Fast
Foliage
Deciduous
Plant Uses
Ornamental
Great for decoration
Medicinal Uses
- Willow bark contains salicin, traditionally used for pain and fever. Don't use it without professional advice.
Is your plant showing symptoms?
Click on the symptom to discover possible causes:
What Diseases Commonly Affect Eared willow?
TLDR: Eared willow is susceptible to 6 known diseases. Monitor regularly for early detection.
Rust
Rust is a common fungal disease caused by fungi in the order Pucciniales that affects a wide variety of plants. The disease gets its name from the characteristic orange, yellow, or reddish-brown pustules that appear on leaves, resembling metal rust. This obligate fungal parasite requires living plants to survive and can cause significant economic losses in agricultural crops.
Aphids
Aphids are small, soft-bodied, pear-shaped insects (1/16 to 1/8 inch long) that feed by sucking nutrient-rich sap from plants. They reproduce rapidly and can quickly weaken plants, causing distorted growth and transmitting plant viruses. Aphids come in various colors including green, black, red, yellow, brown, and gray. They secrete honeydew, a sticky substance that attracts ants and encourages sooty mold growth.
Caterpillars
Caterpillars are the larval stage of moths and butterflies that feed voraciously on plant foliage, stems, flowers, and fruits. Common species include cabbage loopers, tomato hornworms, armyworms, and cutworms. These pests can cause extensive damage by consuming large amounts of plant tissue in a short time. They vary in size from small (1/4 inch) to large (5 inches), with colors ranging from green to brown, often featuring stripes or spots. Caterpillars are highly mobile and can quickly spread throughout gardens, making them one of the most destructive common pests.
Scale Insects
Scale insects are small sap-sucking pests that appear as brown, shell-like bumps on plant stems and leaves. There are over 25 species, divided into armored (hard) and unarmored (soft) scales. They feed by piercing plant tissue and extracting sap, which weakens the plant and can lead to yellowing, stunted growth, and even death if left untreated. They also excrete honeydew, which attracts ants and promotes sooty mold growth.
Fun Facts
It reaches as far north as Shetland in Scotland.
Despite the catkins, bees and hoverflies do the pollinating.
Up close, the flowers have a faint scent of white jasmine.
Frequently asked questions
Why is it called eared willow?
How do I grow a new plant?
What are the orange spots on the leaves?
Is it toxic?
Compare with similar plants
| Attribute | Difficulty | Light | Watering | Pet Safe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Field Maple | Easy | Bright indirect | 14d | ✓ |
| Iberian Houseleek | Easy | Direct sun | 14d | ✓ |
| Silver Birch | Easy | Direct sun | 14d | ✓ |
| Common Blanketflower | Easy | Direct sun | 10d | ✓ |
