What soil does Japanese snowball grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, acidic.

Is Japanese snowball hardy?

Hardy down to -29 °C (USDA zone 4, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

How far from the house should Japanese snowball be planted?

Plant it at least 2 m from buildings. Keep it at least 0.5 m from paving.

When does Japanese snowball flower?

Flowering: April–June, white, pink.

How much water does Japanese snowball need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: low.

How much does Japanese snowball cost?

It sells for roughly €9 to €23 in local shops, depending on size.

Japanese snowball

Viburnum plicatum

Japanese snowball (Viburnum plicatum) is a shrub. Light: full sun, part shade. Hardy down to -29 °C. Drought tolerance: low. Sold in local shops from about €9.

Illustration of Japanese snowball — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

A broad, spreading deciduous shrub with horizontal, tiered branches that are lined with two rows of white flowers in late spring: the lacecap forms (such as Mariesii or Kilimanjaro) are the best known, the ball-flowered one is the Japanese snowball. The pleated leaves turn burgundy red in autumn. Give it room to spread and plant it in moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil out of the hottest midday sun, because it copes badly with heat and drought.

Watch out for

In the hot, dry summers of Central Europe it wilts quickly and the leaf margins brown and scorch, so it is best grown in part shade, mulched and watered in drought. It also dislikes waterlogging and heavy, airless clay, where stems may die back. It can be cut back by frost in a very hard winter. It is among the viburnums most resistant to viburnum leaf beetle and seldom has serious pests or diseases.

Key facts

Light: Full sun, Part shade
Water need: Medium
Care: Low
Size after 10 years: 2.5 m × 3 m
Hardiness: down to -29 °C
Foliage: Deciduous
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D April–June, white, pink

Group	Shrub
Light	Full sun, Part shade
Size after 10 years	2.5 m × 3 m
Ultimate size	1.5–4.5 m × 1.5–5.5 m
Hardiness	down to -29 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Acidic
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	April–June, white, pink
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	Low
Maintenance	Low
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no
Spreading	Low
Distance from buildings	at least 2 m
Distance from paving	at least 0.5 m
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	250 cm
For dogs	no data
For cats	no data
For children	no data
Typical price	from about €9

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
30-50 cm	approx. €9.50
size not stated	approx. €23

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 13, 2026 · How our data is made

Appears in these lists

Shrubs for part shade Plants for screening Shrubs for pollinators Low-maintenance shrubs Flowering shrubs Plants with autumn colour Shrubs with autumn colour

Compare with similar plants

Japanese snowball vs Bodnant viburnum Japanese snowball vs Fuzzy deutzia Japanese snowball vs Guelder rose

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