Quick answer: Smooth sumac (Rhus glabra) is native to 42 states. What's commonly sold under this name is the true wild species. It's typically live plant, verified 15 Sep 2026.
Photo: Eric Hunt, 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 water, Dry |
| Soil | Most dry soils - sandy, sandy loam, medium loam, clay loam, clay, caliche, neutral pH |
| Bloom | Bloom May-Aug |
| Height | 10-20 ft tall |
| Wildlife value | Berries eaten by birds and small mammals in winter, deer browse twigs/fruit, larval host for hairstreak butterflies |
Buying it
Sold true to the wild species as of the last check (15 Sep 2026), via Amazon.
Sold as: Live plant via Amazon · listing verified 15 Sep 2026
See where to buy →Quick answers about Smooth sumac
Where is Smooth sumac native?
Smooth sumac (Rhus glabra) is native to 42 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 Smooth sumac bloom?
Smooth sumac blooms May-Aug. Exact timing shifts a few weeks with latitude and elevation.
What growing conditions does Smooth sumac need?
Light: Sun, Part Shade, Shade. Water: Low water, Dry. Soil: Most dry soils - sandy, sandy loam, medium loam, clay loam, clay, caliche, neutral pH. Mature height: 10-20 ft tall.
Is Smooth sumac good for pollinators and wildlife?
Yes. Wildlife value: Berries eaten by birds and small mammals in winter, deer browse twigs/fruit, larval host for hairstreak butterflies.
Is Smooth sumac deer-resistant or drought-tolerant?
Smooth sumac is drought-tolerant and tolerates shade.
Where can I buy real Smooth sumac seed or plants?
We found a listing sold as live plant that names the true species, last checked 15 Sep 2026. Look for the scientific name Rhus glabra on any listing.
Similar native plants
Native plants that share growing conditions or range with Smooth sumac.
- Indiangrass Sorghastrum nutans
- Fragrant sumac Rhus aromatica
- Eastern red columbine Aquilegia canadensis
- Sideoats grama Bouteloua curtipendula
- Bearberry Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
- Chokecherry Prunus virginiana
Also listed under
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