Quick answer: Gray alder (Alnus incana) is native to 26 states. What's commonly sold under this name is the true wild species. It's typically seed, verified 04 Nov 2026.
Photo: Quadell, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Where it's native
Listed in the directory as native to these states. Click a state for its full native-plant guide.
Growing conditions
From the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Native Plant Database.
| Sun | Sun, Part Shade, Shade |
|---|---|
| Water | High water, Moist-Wet, tolerates flooding |
| Soil | Wet soils, watercourses and stream edges |
| Bloom | Bloom Mar-May |
| Height | 20-40 ft, up to 80 ft (western subspecies) |
| Wildlife value | Songbirds, waterbirds, and mammals frequently use this species |
none noted formally; fast-growing, flood tolerant, can be thicket-forming
Buying it
Sold true to the wild species as of the last check (04 Nov 2026), via Amazon.
Sold as: Seed via Amazon · listing verified 04 Nov 2026
See where to buy →Quick answers about Gray alder
Where is Gray alder native?
Gray alder (Alnus incana) is native to 26 states across the Northeast, Midwest, South and West. Check your state's page in this directory for the full list of plants native where you live.
When does Gray alder bloom?
Gray alder blooms Mar-May. Exact timing shifts a few weeks with latitude and elevation.
What growing conditions does Gray alder need?
Light: Sun, Part Shade, Shade. Water: High water, Moist-Wet, tolerates flooding. Soil: Wet soils, watercourses and stream edges. Mature height: 20-40 ft, up to 80 ft (western subspecies).
Is Gray alder good for pollinators and wildlife?
Yes. Wildlife value: Songbirds, waterbirds, and mammals frequently use this species.
Is Gray alder deer-resistant or drought-tolerant?
Gray alder is tolerates shade and handles wet soil.
Where can I buy real Gray alder seed or plants?
We found a listing sold as seed that names the true species, last checked 04 Nov 2026. Look for the scientific name Alnus incana on any listing.
Similar native plants
Native plants that share growing conditions or range with Gray alder.
- Quaking aspen Populus tremuloides
- Green ash Fraxinus pennsylvanica
- Eastern cottonwood Populus deltoides
- Highbush cranberry Viburnum opulus var. americanum
- Bur oak Quercus macrocarpa
- Common winterberry Ilex verticillata
Also listed under
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