Camphor
Camphora officinarum
Also listed as Camphora camphora, Camphorina camphora
Also known as Camphor Tree, Gum Camphor, Camphor Laurel
Climate Match for your location
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A large evergreen tree valued for its aromatic foliage and wood, which yields camphor oil used in traditional medicine and industry. It develops a dense, rounded canopy and grows best in warm climates with moderate watering.
Why grow it
Camphor tree offers reliable aromatic foliage and structural form comparable to other broad-leaved evergreens, with the added utility of harvestable wood and leaves for traditional applications. It performs well in warm temperate to subtropical zones where many Mediterranean or tropical ornamentals struggle with moisture management, requiring less frequent watering than some alternatives once established.
Watch out for
Camphor trees require well-draining soil and can struggle in poorly drained or waterlogged conditions. Young trees benefit from consistent moisture during establishment but are drought-tolerant once mature. Pruning is generally light, as the tree naturally develops its characteristic rounded form; excessive cutting can create dense regrowth that reduces air circulation and increases disease susceptibility.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Lauraceae
Native Range
East Asia, primarily Taiwan and Japan
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Canopy
The tallest trees that form the overstory.
Sub-canopy
Smaller trees living beneath the canopy.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A large evergreen tree valued for its aromatic foliage and wood, which yields camphor oil used in traditional medicine and industry. It develops a dense, rounded canopy and grows best in warm climates with moderate watering.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Camphor grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Camphor tree offers reliable aromatic foliage and structural form comparable to other broad-leaved evergreens, with the added utility of harvestable wood and leaves for traditional applications. It performs well in warm temperate to subtropical zones where many Mediterranean or tropical ornamentals struggle with moisture management, requiring less frequent watering than some alternatives once established.
Watch out for
Camphor trees require well-draining soil and can struggle in poorly drained or waterlogged conditions. Young trees benefit from consistent moisture during establishment but are drought-tolerant once mature. Pruning is generally light, as the tree naturally develops its characteristic rounded form; excessive cutting can create dense regrowth that reduces air circulation and increases disease susceptibility.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Lauraceae
Native Range
East Asia, primarily Taiwan and Japan
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Canopy
The tallest trees that form the overstory.
Sub-canopy
Smaller trees living beneath the canopy.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Similar canopy trees you might consider:
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