Staghorn sumac (*Rhus typhina*), also known as velvet sumac, is a flowering plant native to eastern North America. A member of the *Anacardiaceae* family, or cashew family, staghorn sumac is a type of deciduous shrub or small tree that receives its common name from branches that resemble deer antlers. Staghorn sumac plants grow pinnately compound leaves that have a red, fall color. In late summer and early fall, red fruit clusters called drupes form on staghorn sumac plants. In female plants, these drupes grow red berries.

Staghorn sumac is a resilient plant that can tolerate a variety of conditions. 

1. __Transplant a young staghorn sumac__. Buy a young staghorn sumac shrub from a plant nursery or retrieve a root sucker from an existing staghorn sumac (a branch growing from the base of the plant). Use a spade to dig up the dirt around the sucker and tie a paper sack around the soil to transport the root safely. Spring is the best time to transplant a staghorn sumac plant.
2. __Place your staghorn sumac in a sunny spot__. Choose a location in full sun or partial shade. Staghorn sumac thrives in well-draining soil and disturbed soil in areas like old fields and roadsides. In terms of climate, staghorn sumac survives in USDA plant [hardiness zones](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/guide-to-planting-zones) three through eight. 
3. __Add a layer of mulch__. Lay two to three inches of mulch around the base of your staghorn sumac plant to keep the soil moist.
4. __Water your staghorn sumac__. Water your staghorn sumac regularly during its first growing season. Keep the soil moist until new green growth emerges. Once established, staghorn sumacs are drought-tolerant plants that require little to no extra watering. With proper growing conditions, a staghorn sumac can live for up to fifty years and grow as tall as fifteen feet.
Consider some of these tips when taking care of your staghorn sumac plant.

1. __Prune your plant when necessary__. Without proper maintenance, staghorn sumac plants can form thickets by growing clonal colonies. If you want to keep your staghorn sumac from spreading, prune back root suckers and shoots in the fall.
2. __Watch out for diseases on your plant__. Staghorn sumac is susceptible to a variety of diseases like powdery mildew, cankers, and root rot. Remove any diseased limbs, branches, or leaves as soon as you notice them.
3. __Use the berries__. Collect ripe red berries from female staghorn sumac plants in the fall. Grind them up to make a spice for dry rubs and marinades or mix the berry clusters in water for a vitamin-C-rich lemonade.
Unlike its relative, poison sumac (*Toxicodendron vernix*), the staghorn sumac is a non-poisonous plant. Identify these plants by their drupes—staghorn sumac produces red fruit clusters while poison sumac forms white fruit clusters. Although the berries of staghorn sumac plants are non-poisonous, the milky sap on the branches can cause skin irritation and, in some cases, allergic reactions. For safety, wear gloves when handling, pruning, or harvesting staghorn sumac plants.

Grow your own garden with Ron Finley, the self-described "Gangster Gardener." Get the [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com/) and learn how to cultivate fresh herbs and vegetables, keep your house plants alive, and use compost to make your community—and the world—a better place.
Staghorn <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/what-is-sumac-learn-how-to-use-sumac-with-tips-and-8-sumac-recipes' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/what-is-sumac-learn-how-to-use-sumac-with-tips-and-8-sumac-recipes","linkCopy":"sumac","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>sumac</a> is a flowering plant native to eastern North America that produces distinct red fruit clusters called drupes.

Staghorn <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/what-is-sumac-learn-how-to-use-sumac-with-tips-and-8-sumac-recipes' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/what-is-sumac-learn-how-to-use-sumac-with-tips-and-8-sumac-recipes","linkCopy":"sumac","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>sumac</a> is a flowering plant native to eastern North America that produces distinct red fruit clusters called drupes.

Staghorn Sumac Care Tips: How to Grow Staghorn Sumac

Staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina), also known as velvet sumac, is a flowering plant native to eastern North America. A member of the Anacardiaceae family, or cashew family, staghorn sumac is a type of deciduous shrub or small tree that receives its common name from branches that resemble deer antlers. Staghorn sumac plants grow pinnately compound leaves that have a red, fall color. In late summer and early fall, red fruit clusters called drupes form on staghorn sumac plants. In female plants, these drupes grow red berries.

What Is Staghorn Sumac?

Staghorn sumac is a resilient plant that can tolerate a variety of conditions. <ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Transplant a young staghorn sumac. Buy a young staghorn sumac shrub from a plant nursery or retrieve a root sucker from an existing staghorn sumac (a branch growing from the base of the plant). Use a spade to dig up the dirt around the sucker and tie a paper sack around the soil to transport the root safely. Spring is the best time to transplant a staghorn sumac plant. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Place your staghorn sumac in a sunny spot. Choose a location in full sun or partial shade. Staghorn sumac thrives in well-draining soil and disturbed soil in areas like old fields and roadsides. In terms of climate, staghorn sumac survives in USDA plant <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/guide-to-planting-zones' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/guide-to-planting-zones","linkCopy":"hardiness zones","category":null}'>hardiness zones</a> three through eight. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Add a layer of mulch. Lay two to three inches of mulch around the base of your staghorn sumac plant to keep the soil moist. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Water your staghorn sumac. Water your staghorn sumac regularly during its first growing season. Keep the soil moist until new green growth emerges. Once established, staghorn sumacs are drought-tolerant plants that require little to no extra watering. With proper growing conditions, a staghorn sumac can live for up to fifty years and grow as tall as fifteen feet. </li></ol>

How to Plant Staghorn Sumac

Consider some of these tips when taking care of your staghorn sumac plant.<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Prune your plant when necessary. Without proper maintenance, staghorn sumac plants can form thickets by growing clonal colonies. If you want to keep your staghorn sumac from spreading, prune back root suckers and shoots in the fall. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Watch out for diseases on your plant. Staghorn sumac is susceptible to a variety of diseases like powdery mildew, cankers, and root rot. Remove any diseased limbs, branches, or leaves as soon as you notice them. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Use the berries. Collect ripe red berries from female staghorn sumac plants in the fall. Grind them up to make a spice for dry rubs and marinades or mix the berry clusters in water for a vitamin-C-rich lemonade. </li></ol>

How to Grow and Care for Staghorn Sumac

Unlike its relative, poison sumac (Toxicodendron vernix), the staghorn sumac is a non-poisonous plant. Identify these plants by their drupes—staghorn sumac produces red fruit clusters while poison sumac forms white fruit clusters. Although the berries of staghorn sumac plants are non-poisonous, the milky sap on the branches can cause skin irritation and, in some cases, allergic reactions. For safety, wear gloves when handling, pruning, or harvesting staghorn sumac plants.

Toxicity and Safety Tips for Staghorn Sumac

Grow your own garden with Ron Finley, the self-described &quot;Gangster Gardener.&quot; Get the <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/","linkCopy":"MasterClass Annual Membership","category":null}'>MasterClass Annual Membership</a> and learn how to cultivate fresh herbs and vegetables, keep your house plants alive, and use compost to make your community—and the world—a better place.

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Staghorn <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/what-is-sumac-learn-how-to-use-sumac-with-tips-and-8-sumac-recipes' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/what-is-sumac-learn-how-to-use-sumac-with-tips-and-8-sumac-recipes","linkCopy":"sumac","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>sumac</a> is a flowering plant native to eastern North America that produces distinct red fruit clusters called drupes.

Staghorn <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/what-is-sumac-learn-how-to-use-sumac-with-tips-and-8-sumac-recipes' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/what-is-sumac-learn-how-to-use-sumac-with-tips-and-8-sumac-recipes","linkCopy":"sumac","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>sumac</a> is a flowering plant native to eastern North America that produces distinct red fruit clusters called drupes.