Plant Details

Salix babylonica

Weeping Willow

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Common names

69 names · 34 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Chinese weeping willow[2]
  • Chinese willow[2]
  • Corkscrew willow[2]
+3 more namesShow fewer names
Other languages (33)
Dutch
  • Chinese treurwilg
  • Groene treurwilg[2]
  • Kronkelwilg[2]
+2 more namesShow fewer names
  • Treurwilg
  • Wilg#Krulwilg[2]
French
  • Saule de Babylone[2]
  • Saule pleureur[2]
  • Saule pleureur à bois vert[2]
+1 more nameShow fewer names
  • Saule tortueux[2]
Afrikaans
Arabic
  • صفصاف بابلي[2]
Basque
  • Sahats negartia[2]
Belarusian
  • Вярба плакучая[2]
Catalan
Cherokee
  • ᏗᎦᎦᎸᏅᎯᏓ[2]
Chinese (Simplified)
+3 more namesShow fewer names
Chinese (Traditional)
Czech
  • vrba babylónská[2]
  • vrba Matsudova[2]
Danish
Estonian
  • babüloni remmelgas[2]
Finnish
  • itkusalava[2]
German
  • Babylon-Trauer-Weide[1]
  • Babylonische Trauer-Weide[2]
  • Chinesische Trauer-Weide[2]
+1 more nameShow fewer names
  • Echte Trauerweide[2]
Hebrew
  • ערבה בוכיה[2]
  • ערבת בבל[2]
Hungarian
  • babiloni szomorúfűz[2]
Italian
  • Salice piangente[2]
Japanese
  • ウンリュウヤナギ[2]
  • カンリュウ[2]
  • シダレヤナギ[2]
+6 more namesShow fewer names
  • シバヤナギ[2]
  • タチヤナギ[2]
  • ペキンヤナギ[2]
  • ヤナギ[2]
  • 枝垂柳[2]
  • 糸柳[2]
Korean
  • 수양버들[2]
Lithuanian
  • Svyruoklinis gluosnis[2]
Mvskoke
Polish
  • Wierzba babilońska[2]
Portuguese
  • Salgueiro-chorão[2]
Russian
  • Ива плакучая[2]
Sengwaketse
Slovak
  • vŕba babylonská[2]
Spanish
  • sauce llorón[2]
  • Sauce torturado[2]
Swedish
Thai
  • หลิว[2]
Turkish
  • Kıvrık Yapraklı Salkım Söğüt[2]
  • Salkım Söğüt[2]
Ukrainian
  • Верба плакуча[2]
Language not specified
  • Sauce lloron[1]
Sources & name notes (2)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Salix babylonica L. ↗

Common names from World Plants, version 26.05, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20. License: CC BY.

Source records
  • Babylon-Trauer-Weide (DE) — VernacularName.tsv, line 161585; taxon 6XCM7.
  • Sauce lloron (FR) — VernacularName.tsv, line 161586; taxon 6XCM7.
  • Weeping Willow (EN) — VernacularName.tsv, line 161587; taxon 6XCM7.
[2] Salix babylonica — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • weeping willow — results[0].names[0]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Chinese weeping willow — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • sauce llorón — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • 垂柳 — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Salgueiro-chorão — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Ива плакучая — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • ערבה בוכיה — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • vrba babylónská — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Groene treurwilg — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • tårpil — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • シダレヤナギ — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Svyruoklinis gluosnis — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • 垂柳 — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • 垂枝柳 — results[0].names[14]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • 倒挂柳 — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • 倒插杨柳 — results[0].names[16]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • シバヤナギ — results[0].names[17]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • babüloni remmelgas — results[0].names[18]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Tårepil — results[0].names[19]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • صفصاف بابلي — results[0].names[20]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • desmai — results[0].names[21]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Kronkelwilg — results[0].names[22]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • タチヤナギ — results[0].names[23]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • 수양버들 — results[0].names[24]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Treurwilg — results[0].names[25]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • 旱柳 — results[0].names[26]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • 青皮柳 — results[0].names[27]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Wilg#Krulwilg — results[0].names[28]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Sauce torturado — results[0].names[29]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • 旱柳 — results[0].names[30]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • 青皮柳 — results[0].names[31]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • vrba Matsudova — results[0].names[32]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Tortured willow — results[0].names[33]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Corkscrew willow — results[0].names[34]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Chinese willow — results[0].names[35]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • ウンリュウヤナギ — results[0].names[36]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Salice piangente — results[0].names[37]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • mogokare — results[0].names[38]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Вярба плакучая — results[0].names[39]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Treurwilger — results[0].names[40]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Globe willow — results[0].names[41]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Верба плакуча — results[0].names[42]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • หลิว — results[0].names[43]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Wierzba babilońska — results[0].names[44]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Saule de Babylone — results[0].names[45]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Saule pleureur à bois vert — results[0].names[46]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Saule tortueux — results[0].names[47]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • カンリュウ — results[0].names[48]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • ペキンヤナギ — results[0].names[49]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • babiloni szomorúfűz — results[0].names[50]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • ᏗᎦᎦᎸᏅᎯᏓ — results[0].names[51]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Saule pleureur — results[0].names[52]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Hoyvnecv — results[0].names[53]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • ערבת בבל — results[0].names[54]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Kıvrık Yapraklı Salkım Söğüt — results[0].names[55]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • 枝垂柳 — results[0].names[56]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • 糸柳 — results[0].names[57]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • vŕba babylonská — results[0].names[58]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • itkusalava — results[0].names[59]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • ヤナギ — results[0].names[60]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Sahats negartia — results[0].names[61]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Salkım Söğüt — results[0].names[62]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Echte Trauerweide — results[0].names[63]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Chinesische Trauer-Weide — results[0].names[64]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.
  • Babylonische Trauer-Weide — results[0].names[65]; taxon id 58316; Salix babylonica.

General information

Scientific name: Salix babylonica
Accepted name (Kew): Salix babylonica L. View name reference ↗

Accepted in the cited Kew taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1] [2]
Botanical family: Salicaceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Salix (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: Weeping Willow
Images: Google Images

Plant characteristics

Layer: Tree
Catalogue size class: Medium
Height: 9.14–12.19 m

NC State landscape size range; converted from feet and inches. Size varies with site, age and management.

Sources [3]
Spread: 9.14–12.19 m

NC State landscape size range; converted from feet and inches. Size varies with site, age and management.

Sources [3]
Growth rate: Fast
Sources [3]
Foliage: Deciduous
Sources [3]
Growth habit: Broad, Rounded, Weeping

Whole-plant habit and form as described by NC State.

Sources [3]

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b

USDA zones listed by NC State; winter survival does not establish reliable cropping.

Sources [3]
Soil moisture:
Frequent Standing Water, Well-drained, Moist, Occasional Flooding, Occasionally Wet

Moisture and drainage conditions listed by NC State.

Sources [3]
Soil:
Sand (light) Loam (medium) Clay (heavy)
pH:
Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Sources [3]
Light:
Full sun, Partial Shade
Sources [3]

Uses

Edible parts:
Leaves, Inner bark, Manna
Edibility rating:
(1)
Medicinal rating:
(3)
Functions:
Basketry

Description

Bark can be eaten both raw and cooked. It can be dried, ground into a powder, and mixed with grain flour to make, for example, bread. The taste of bark is very bitter and is usually only consumed when other food sources are not available. Young shoots and flower buds of this plant can be cooked, but they are considered not very tasty. The older leaves are used to contaminate tea. Bark is also a source of a certain substance.

Harvest

Harvest starts: 01/03
Harvest ends: 30/04

Crown

Crown shape: Narrow weeping
Crown density: Dense crown

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: Botanical familyTaxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 1427267; name ID 2918656; Salix L.. Family column.
    • Taxonomy: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 224011; name ID 2921604; Salix babylonica L..

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.

  2. Catalogue of Life Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Salix babylonica

    Taxonomic data from World Plants, version 26.05, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20.

    Supports: Taxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: COL 2026-08-20, NameUsage.tsv line 2433845, ID 6XCM7: Salix babylonica L. (accepted).

    Source checked on .

  3. NC State Extension, North Carolina State University Salix babylonica — Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
    Supports: HeightSpreadGrowth rateFoliageGrowth habitLightSoil moistureSoil pHUSDA hardiness
    Relevant sections
    • Height: Dimensions > Height; Height: 30 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.
    • Spread: Dimensions > Width; Width: 30 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Foliage: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
    • Growth habit: Habit/Form
    • Light: Light
    • Soil moisture: Soil Drainage
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • USDA hardiness: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

    Source checked on .