Also known as Meadowsweet · Narrow-Leaf Meadowsweet · Narrow-Leaf Spirea
Category: Ornamental
Type: Shrub
Sunlight: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Water: Consistent Moisture
Temperature: Hardy
White Meadowsweet (Spiraea alba) is a deciduous shrub native to North America, prized for its upright habit and dense clusters of white flowers.
Spiraea alba, commonly known as White Meadowsweet, is a deciduous shrub native to North America, valued for its attractive white flower clusters and adaptability to various conditions. It plays a role in its native ecosystems and is a popular ornamental plant in landscaping.
This species typically forms a dense, rounded shrub that can reach heights of 3 to 6 feet and spread to a similar width. The growth habit is upright and somewhat spreading, creating a bushy appearance. Its leaves are simple, alternate, and lance-shaped to oblong, measuring about 1 to 3 inches in length. The leaf margins are finely toothed, and the upper surface is typically smooth and green, while the underside may be slightly paler and sometimes hairy. The bark is generally smooth and reddish-brown on younger stems, becoming grayish-brown and somewhat fissured with age.
The most striking feature of Spiraea alba is its inflorescence. During the summer months, typically from June to August, it produces numerous upright, conical or pyramidal clusters of small, white flowers. These dense panicles, often 2 to 4 inches long, are borne at the tips of new growth and create a showy display. Each individual flower is small, with five petals and numerous stamens, giving the cluster a somewhat fluffy appearance. Following flowering, small, dry capsules develop, which contain tiny seeds.
White Meadowsweet is widely distributed across the northern United States and Canada, extending into parts of the northeastern and midwestern United States and across much of eastern Canada. It thrives in a variety of natural habitats, including open woodlands, meadows, prairies, along stream banks, and in moist to wet areas. This adaptability allows it to tolerate a range of soil types, from sandy to clay, and it prefers full sun to partial shade. While it tolerates moist conditions, it can also endure periods of drought once established. In cultivation, it is a hardy and low-maintenance shrub, suitable for a variety of garden settings, including borders, mass plantings, and as a specimen shrub.
Ecologically, Spiraea alba provides habitat and food for various wildlife. Its flowers attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, and its seeds may be consumed by small birds. The dense foliage offers shelter for birds and other small animals. While not extensively documented for medicinal or culinary uses, its ornamental value is well-established. Its ability to grow in challenging conditions and its attractive floral display make it a reliable choice for naturalistic plantings and for adding texture and color to the landscape. The plant's resilience and its contribution to native plant communities underscore its significance in both ecological and horticultural contexts.
At-a-glance light, water, soil, and growing conditions from plant data
Light Requirements
Full Sun to Partial Shade
75% intensity
Thrives in full sun for best flowering, tolerates light shade.
Watering Needs
Consistent Moisture
50% intensity
Prefers moist, well-drained soil; water when top inches are dry.
Soil
Well-drained
50% intensity
Temperature Tolerance
Hardy
25% intensity
Tolerates a wide range of temperatures, very cold hardy.
Fertilizer Needs
Low
25% intensity
Occasional light feeding in spring is sufficient.
White Meadowsweet Toxicity
Safety information from plant toxicity data
Toxicity details for White Meadowsweet
Attribute
Value
Toxic for humans
No
0/5 intensity
Toxic for pets
No
0/5 intensity
Non-toxic
White Meadowsweet Quick Facts
Key traits and growing stats from plant data
Plant Type
Shrub
Plant Category
Ornamental
Plant Place Type
Garden
Lifespan
Perennial
Plant Height
0.6-1.2 m
Spread
0.6-1.2 m
Growth Rate
Moderate
Dormancy
Yes
Leaf Color
Green
Leaf Type
Simple
Flower Size
0.5 cm
Optimal Sunlight Lux
60000
Care guide for White Meadowsweet
Watering, pruning, propagation, and repotting details from plant data
Water
White Meadowsweet prefers consistently moist soil, especially during establishment and dry periods. Water deeply when the top 2-3 cm of soil feels dry. Avoid waterlogged conditions, as this can lead to root rot.
Once established, it can tolerate short dry spells.
Pruning
Prune Spiraea alba immediately after flowering to maintain its shape and encourage reblooming. Remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches at any time.
For rejuvenation, cut back older plants harder in late winter or early spring before new growth begins.
Propagation
Spiraea alba can be propagated from softwood cuttings taken in early summer or semi-hardwood cuttings in mid to late summer. You can also divide established clumps in early spring or late autumn.
Seed propagation is possible but may result in offspring that do not come true to type.
Repotting
Repotting is primarily for container-grown plants or when transplanting. For young plants, repot every 1-2 years in spring.
For established plants, repotting is usually only necessary if they become root-bound or need to be divided, typically every 3-5 years, again in early spring.
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Monthly activity intensity for bloom and fruit across both hemispheres.
Northern hemisphere
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Peak bloom · JunPeak fruit · Aug
FloweringFruiting
Southern hemisphere
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Peak bloom · SepPeak fruit · Oct
FloweringFruiting
Image Gallery
Photos of White Meadowsweet (Spiraea alba)
White Meadowsweet Names & Synonyms
Common names and botanical synonyms
Common Names
Meadowsweet
Narrow-Leaf Meadowsweet
Narrow-Leaf Spirea
Pale Bridewort
Pale Meadowsweet
Pale Spiraea
Spirea
Spirea Alba
White Meadowsweet
White Spiraea
White Meadowsweet Taxonomy
Botanical classification
Taxonomic classification of White Meadowsweet
Rank
Name
kingdom
Plantae
division
Tracheophyta
class
Magnoliopsida
order
Rosales
family
Rosaceae
genus
Spiraea
species
Spiraea alba
White Meadowsweet FAQs
Answers based on plant encyclopedia data
When is the best time to prune White Meadowsweet?
Prune White Meadowsweet in late winter or early spring before new growth begins to encourage flowering on old wood and maintain shape.
What are the light requirements for Spiraea alba?
White Meadowsweet thrives in full sun to partial shade. It will produce more abundant blooms with at least six hours of direct sunlight daily.
How much water does White Meadowsweet need?
Once established, White Meadowsweet is relatively drought-tolerant. Water regularly during dry periods, especially when young, but avoid waterlogged soil.
Is Spiraea alba deer resistant?
White Meadowsweet is generally considered to have some resistance to deer browsing, but this can vary depending on local deer populations and food availability.
What kind of soil is best for White Meadowsweet?
Spiraea alba prefers moist, well-drained soil. It can tolerate a range of soil types, including sandy, loamy, and clay soils, but dislikes overly dry or compacted conditions.