Quick answer: Gray birch (Betula populifolia) is native to 17 states. What's commonly sold under this name is the true wild species. No live listing of the true species was found as of 16 Sep 2026.
Photo: Famartin, Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA-4.0)
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 | Low |
| Soil | Wet to dry, poor |
| Bloom | Apr |
| Height | Up to 50 ft |
| Wildlife value | Attracts songbirds/ground birds/mammals/butterflies, larval host for Eastern Tiger Swallowtail |
Buying it
No live listing of the true wild species was found as of 16 Sep 2026 — that means our last search didn't surface one, not that the plant is unavailable.
No live seed or plant listing found as of 16 Sep 2026. That means our last search didn't surface one — not that the plant is unavailable. Try a regional native-plant nursery.
Quick answers about Gray birch
Where is Gray birch native?
Gray birch (Betula populifolia) is native to 17 states across the Northeast, Midwest and South. Check your state's page in this directory for the full list of plants native where you live.
When does Gray birch bloom?
Gray birch blooms Apr. Exact timing shifts a few weeks with latitude and elevation.
What growing conditions does Gray birch need?
Light: Sun, Part Shade, Shade. Water: Low. Soil: Wet to dry, poor. Mature height: Up to 50 ft.
Is Gray birch good for pollinators and wildlife?
Yes. Wildlife value: Attracts songbirds/ground birds/mammals/butterflies, larval host for Eastern Tiger Swallowtail.
Is Gray birch deer-resistant or drought-tolerant?
Gray birch is drought-tolerant, tolerates shade and handles wet soil.
Where can I buy Gray birch?
We haven't found an online listing of the true wild species as of 16 Sep 2026. A regional native-plant nursery or native seed company is your best source; ask for Betula populifolia by its scientific name.
Similar native plants
Native plants that share growing conditions or range with Gray birch.
- American holly Ilex opaca
- Common winterberry Ilex verticillata
- Bur oak Quercus macrocarpa
- Northern spicebush Lindera benzoin
- Quaking aspen Populus tremuloides
- Eastern cottonwood Populus deltoides
Also listed under
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