How to Grow Vanilla Spice Summersweet - Plant Care & Tips

By NorwichGardener Team   /   2025

Vanilla spice summersweet is a plant that is native to North America. It is a perennial plant that can grow to be about 3 feet tall. The leaves of the plant are oblong and have a toothed margin. The flowers of the plant are white and they have a vanilla-like scent. The plant blooms from June to September.

How to Grow Vanilla Spice Summersweet - Plant Care & Tips

Alternative name

  • Honeysuckle Summersweet
  • Vanille Summersweet
  • Spice Summersweet
  • Vanilla Summersweet
  • Summer Vanilla

Good to Know

  • Vanilla spice summersweet is a deciduous shrub that is native to North America.
  • It typically grows to 6-8 feet tall and wide.
  • It blooms in late summer with tiny, white, fragrant flowers.
  • The flowers give way to small, black fruits that are attractive to birds.
  • The shrub has dark green, oval-shaped leaves that turn yellow in autumn.
  • It prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil.
  • It is relatively low-maintenance and is resistant to deer and rabbits.
  • It can be propagated by seed, cuttings, or division.
  • It is often used as an ornamental plant in gardens or as a hedge.
  • The essential oil of the vanilla spice summersweet is used in perfumes and cosmetics.

Related plant:
Vanilla Fraise Hydrangea

Planting Process

  1. For vanilla spice summersweet, first step is to find a spot in your garden that gets full sun.
  2. Then, you will need to prepare the soil by tilling it and adding some compost or organic matter.
  3. Next, you will need to plant your vanilla spice summersweet plant.
  4. Once your plant is in the ground, you will need to water it regularly.
  5. During the growing season, you will need to fertilize your plant.
  6. Once your plant blooms, you can deadhead the flowers to encourage more blooming.
  7. In the fall, you will need to cut back your plant.
  8. You can also divide your plant in the fall if you want to create more plants.
  9. In the winter, you will need to protect your plant from the cold weather.
  10. You can start enjoying your vanilla spice summersweet plant the following spring!

Related plant:
Vanilla Tree

Soil Condition

About soil condition, the vanilla spice summersweet (Clethra alnifolia) prefers average, well-drained soil, but will tolerate poor soils and sites with full sun to part shade. It is not particular about soil pH, but does best in moist to wet soils. It is somewhat tolerant of salt spray.

About light

Just like other members of the Summersweet family, the Vanilla Spice Summersweet requires full sun to partial sun in order to thrive. This means that it should be planted in an area of your yard that gets at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. If you live in an area with hot summers, you may need to provide some afternoon shade for this plant to prevent leaf scorch.

Good Temperature

The temperature conditions are perfect for vanilla spice summersweet. The weather is warm and the air is humid, which is ideal for the growth of this plant. Vanilla spice summersweet is a tropical plant that thrives in these conditions. The plant is native to the Caribbean and is commonly found in the wild in these regions.

Humidity Aspect

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is around 60%-70%. If the humidity gets too low, the leaves of the plant will start to turn brown and curl up. The flowers will also start to wilt and fall off the plant. If the humidity gets too high, the plant will start to produce more leaves and the flowers will start to droop.

Fertilizing

Discussing fertilizer, this plant does best with a phosphorus-rich fertilizer in the early spring. Be sure to fertilizer before new growth begins and follow the package directions carefully. You can apply a second fertilizer application six to eight weeks later if you like. Just be careful not to overdo it, as too much fertilizer can result in stunted growth. The roots of this plant are relatively shallow, so be careful not to let the soil dry out.

About light

Pruning your vanilla spice summersweet regularly will ensure that it continues to produce an abundance of fragrant blossoms. Cut back the stems by a few inches after the plant finishes blooming. This will encourage new growth and keep the plant looking tidy. Every few years, give your vanilla spice summersweet a more substantial pruning to control its size and shape.

The Propagation

Propagation is generally done through stem cuttings taken from new growth in late spring or early summer. The cuttings should be 4-6 inches long and should have several leaves. Remove the bottom leaves and dip the cut end in rooting hormone. Plant the cutting in moist potting mix and place in a bright, warm location. Keep the soil moist and within a few weeks, the cutting should have rooted and be ready to transplant.

Growth Rate

Usually, the plant growth rate falls between 6 and 12 inches per year. However, they may experience a growth spurt during their first year after planting. Some gardeners thin out the smaller, slower-growing plants to allow the more vigorous ones more room to grow.

Common Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant include aphids, scale, whiteflies, and powdery mildew. Aphids are tiny, soft-bodied insects that feed on plant sap. They are usually green, but can be other colors as well. Scale are small, hard-bodied insects that are often found on the undersides of leaves. They suck plant sap and can cause damage to the plant. Whiteflies are small, white insects that fly around and feed on plant sap. They can cause damage to the plant and make it more susceptible to infections. Powdery mildew is a type of fungus that grows on the leaves and stems of plants. It can cause the leaves to turn yellow or brown and eventually die.

Basics of Growing

  • Make sure to plant your vanilla spice summersweet in an area that receives full sun.
  • This plant prefers well-drained soil, so be sure to plant it in a location that does not stay soggy.
  • Once it is established, water your vanilla spice summersweet regularly to keep the soil moist but not saturated.
  • Fertilize your plant twice a year with a general purpose fertilizer.
  • Prune your plant in late winter or early spring to remove any dead or damaged branches.
  • You can propagate vanilla spice summersweet by taking cuttings from new growth in late spring or early summer.
  • To help prevent disease, make sure to water your plant at the base and not from overhead.
  • If you notice any pests on your plant, such as aphids, scale, or whiteflies, take action to control them immediately.
  • If you live in an area

Substitution

  • Vanilla Spice Summersweet (Clethra alnifolia)
  • Spicebush (Lindera benzoin)
  • Sweet Pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia)
  • Dwarf Summersweet (Clethra alnifolia)
  • Hummingbird Summersweet (Clethra alnifolia)
  • Colonial Sumac (Rhus copallina)
  • Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatica)
  • Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina)
  • Winged Sumac (Rhus copallinum)
  • Smooth Sumac (Rhus glabra)

Source:
Vanilla | Diseases and Pests, Description, Uses, Propagation
Vanilla fragrans - Biology Building Greenhouse
Vanilla - Spices - Google

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Reviewed & Published by Richelle
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Shrubs Category