A little seed. A new beginning.
Seeds In A Cup®A LITTLE SEED. A NEW BEGINNING.

GROW SOMETHING WONDERFUL

American Sycamore

Platanus occidentalis

Your guide to planting, growing, and getting to know this plant.

THE PLANT NOTEBOOK

American Sycamore care, from seed onward.

Botanical name
Platanus occidentalis
Common names
Buttonball Tree, American Plane
Family
Platanaceae
Genus
Platanus
Species
P. occidentalis
01

Start growing

Fast-growing; needs lots of space and consistent moisture. Tolerates flooding.

02

Growing with your kit

Sycamore seeds are small and fragile. Use the Seeds In A Cup® greenhouse to protect them from washing away in early rain.

03

Propagation

By seed or cuttings.

04

Seasonal growth & harvest

Produces singular 'buttonballs' (seed clusters) that persist through winter.

05

Growing conditions

Riverbanks, stream edges, and moist disturbed sites.

06

Weather & tolerances

Highly flood tolerant; moderate pollution tolerance.

07

Pests & plant health

Sycamore anthracnose (causes early leaf drop).

08

Plant safety

Safe; fuzz from new leaves can be an airborne irritant to some.

09

Botanical features

A massive deciduous tree with distinctive 'camo' bark that peels to reveal white/cream inner layers.

10

Varieties

Standard native species.

11

Garden & everyday uses

Wood is hard and tough. used for butcher blocks and crates. Iconic landscape tree

12

Native range & distribution

Eastern and Central United States.

13

Conservation

Secure and widespread.

14

Name origins

From the Greek ‘platys’ (broad), referring to its massive leaves.

15

History

Used by pioneers to build massive hollowed-out canoes and storage barrels.

Grow american sycamore in a cup.