American Basswood
Tilia americana
Educational content — not medical, botanical, or professional advice. Always consult a qualified clinician before using any herbal preparation — especially during pregnancy, breastfeeding, while on medication, or for children. How we source & review →
Pl. 636F — Tilia americana
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IOverview
Overview
American Basswood (Tilia americana) is a deciduous tree native to the eastern United States and parts of Canada. It thrives in moist, well-drained soils ranging from light sandy to heavy clay, with a pH between 4.5 and 7.5. This tree prefers full sun to partial shade and can grow up to 25 meters tall. Known for its edible flowers, leaves, and sap, American Basswood is also valued for its ornamental qualities. Its native range extends from Alabama to Wisconsin, with occurrences in Mexico as well. One distinctive feature of this tree is the lightness of its wood, which makes it suitable for carving.
Quick answers
What is American Basswood?
American Basswood (Tilia americana) is a deciduous tree native to the eastern United States and parts of Canada. It thrives in moist, well-drained soils ranging from light sandy to heavy clay, with a pH between 4.5 and 7.5. This tree prefers full sun to partial shade and can grow up to 25 meters tall.
What is American Basswood used for?
Traditionally used for better sleep, stress & anxiety. Each claim is evidence-rated — see Section II for full citations.
Best for
Top 2 evidence-ranked uses of American Basswood
Clinicaluses · safety · chemistry · dosagemedicinal profile
IIBenefits & evidence
2 claims · 0 sources
Benefits & evidence
2 claims · 0 sources- American Basswood has been traditionally used in North American herbalism for promoting restful sleep, often prepared as a tea. The flowers and leaves are steeped to create an infusion that may help ease into sleep.
The mechanism by which Tilia americana supports sleep is not fully characterised but is thought to involve compounds such as flavonoids and mucilage, which have soothing properties.
- Traditional-use note: American Basswood appears in herbal sources around calming and relaxation traditions, often as a tea. PlantSage presents this as ethnobotanical context, not as medical advice.
Traditional context only. This reviewed claim keeps the original moderate confidence level, but avoids treatment, disease, dosage, or guaranteed-effect language.
IV·bMixology suggestions
1 draft
Mixology suggestions
1 draftEditorial drafts. These pairings are AI-suggested from traditional herbal lore. Always verify with a qualified herbalist before brewing.
American Basswood support blend
generaltea
AI returned a direct ingredient list; normalized into one draft blend for editorial review.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
American Basswood thrives in full to partial sun and prefers moist, well-drained soils that are light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay). It is hardy in zones 3-9 and can grow up to 25 meters tall. For cultivation, ensure the soil pH ranges from 4.5 to 7.5. Propagate through seeds or cuttings. Enjoy its edible flowers, leaves, and sap while maintaining a healthy garden environment.
Light
Full sun, Partial sun/shade
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
3-9
Habit
Tree
Mature size
25.0 m tall
Soil pH
4.5–7.5
For first-time growers
How to grow American Basswood for the first time
8steps
Start with planting American Basswood in a sunny spot and follow these steps for success.
- 1
What you'll need
American Basswood saplings, garden gloves, spade or shovel.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in spring after the last frost or fall before the first freeze.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Choose a location with well-draining soil; amend with compost if needed. For containers, use a pot at least 15 liters (4 gallons) deep and wide.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Transplant saplings directly into the ground or in large pots filled with moist, well-draining soil.
- 5
First two weeks
Water regularly to keep the soil consistently moist. Monitor for signs of stress and adjust watering as needed.
- 6
Ongoing care
Provide regular water during dry spells; mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Prune only if necessary, focusing on removing dead or crossing branches.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune in late winter before new growth starts. Harvest flowers for tea or leaves for salads when they are fully open.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting too deep, neglecting to mulch, and not providing enough space for the tree's eventual size.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:FlowersLeavesSap
Edible uses: Chocolate, Sweetener, Tea
Other uses:FiberWind breakerLumberDynamic accumulator
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
30 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
30 native · 0 introducedDistribution across1 continent· 30 native
Asia1 region
native (1)Georgia
Broader regions
native:North Dakota, Massachusetts, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Manitoba, Maryland, Mexico Central, Mexico Gulf, Mexico Northeast, Mexico Northwest, Mexico Southeast, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Brunswick, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXSee also
8 related
See also
8 relatedPlants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family, common use cases, and growing requirements.
shared use cases
Different families, similar therapeutic role — good for comparing.
XI
Explore further
Companion planting
Health goals
Compare with similar plants
Growing zone
XII
About this entry
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