Grows in any well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Tolerant of urban conditions. Forms thickets by self-seeding and root suckering. Leaves turn shades of yellow/orange/red in fall. Tiny flowers bloom in cone-shaped panicles in late spring to early summer. Female flowers produce showy pyramidal fruiting clusters up to 8” long, each containing numerous hairy, berry-like drupes which ripen bright red in autumn, and turn dark red as they persist through much of the winter. Fruit is attractive to wildlife.
Rhus typhina ‘Tiger Eye’ is a selection with more controlled growth habit and bright yellow-green foliage that makes a striking contrast in any landscape.