What you will see
Branches suddenly wilt and die back; it occurs rarely but can be fatal.
The source says: lindens are also susceptible.
How to protect
Rare, but can be fatal; contact an expert.
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Tree · Malvaceae family
Littleleaf linden
Tilia cordata
Full sun to part shade in a garden ~19 ft 8¼ in × ~13 ft 1½ in Flowers June–July to −93 °F
Flower colors Click a color
In short a 10-second read
SunFull sun to part shade
in a garden after 10 years~19 ft 8¼ in
in the wild up to 98.4 ft
spacing 32.8 ft
in the wild up to 98.4 ft
spacing 32.8 ft
FlowersJune–July
PlantingMarch–April, October–November
WinterNo winter protection
Where to plant and how much to water
Sun, soil and water.
It grows best in full sun to part shade, in soil from dry to moist.
Sun
Sun6 hours or more
Part shade3–6 hours
Shadeunder 3 h
Soil
tolerates any pH
acidicneutralalkaline
Watering
Frost
−93 °F
How much space it takes
Mature size.
The mature plant next to a person (69 in).
49.2 ft–98.4 ft× spread 32.8 ft–49.2 ft
Plant 32.8 ft apart.
Reaches maturity in about 20–50 years. The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.
Calendar
Through the year.
Typical for a temperate climate (four seasons). The line shows the current month.
The year at a glance
FlowersPlantingFeeding
Now, in October: a good time for planting (container plant, bare-root, root-balled).
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Flowers
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
June–July · yellow
Planting
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
container plant: March–April, October–November; bare-root: March–April, October–November; root-balled: March–April, October–November
Feeding
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
May–June
Feeding
Nutrition.
Horn meal
up to 0.18 oz/sq ft a year, if the soil needs it · May–June
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Pests and diseases
Common problems and what to do.
The most common problems in Central Europe. Protection is listed from the gentlest option.
High riskMedium riskLow riskRisk for this plant according to the source · no label = no documented level
Verticillium wiltdiseaseMedium risk
What you will see
Branches suddenly wilt and die back; it occurs rarely but can be fatal.
The source says: lindens are also susceptible.
How to protect
Rare, but can be fatal; contact an expert.
What you will see
Colonies of aphids on shoots and the undersides of leaves, sticky honeydew and sooty mold.
The source says: lindens are commonly infested with linden aphids.
How to protect
- Prevention
- Check plants at least twice a week during fast growth.
- By hand early morningWash aphids off with a strong jet of water; remove badly infested curled shoots.
- BiologicalEncourage ladybirds, hoverflies and lacewings; limit ants, which protect aphids.
- Gentle spray repeat as neededInsecticidal soap or horticultural oil, thoroughly, including the undersides of leaves.
What you will see
Colonies of aphids on shoots and the undersides of leaves, sticky honeydew and sooty mold.
The source says: lindens are commonly infested with linden aphids.
How to protect
- Prevention
- Check plants at least twice a week during fast growth.
- By hand early morningWash aphids off with a strong jet of water; remove badly infested curled shoots.
- BiologicalEncourage ladybirds, hoverflies and lacewings; limit ants, which protect aphids.
- Gentle spray repeat as neededInsecticidal soap or horticultural oil, thoroughly, including the undersides of leaves.
What you will see
Leaves are speckled and bronzing, with fine webbing on the underside.
How to protect
- Prevention
- Reduce dust and water stress; do not use broad-spectrum insecticides, which cause mite outbreaks.
- By handA strong jet of water on the underside of leaves.
- Gentle sprayInsecticidal soap or oil, thoroughly on the undersides; only after mites are confirmed.
What you will see
Leaves are speckled and bronzing, with fine webbing on the underside.
How to protect
- Prevention
- Reduce dust and water stress; do not use broad-spectrum insecticides, which cause mite outbreaks.
- By handA strong jet of water on the underside of leaves.
- Gentle sprayInsecticidal soap or oil, thoroughly on the undersides; only after mites are confirmed.
What you will see
Tiny brown scales on branches, sticky honeydew, weakening growth.
How to protect
- By handRemove heavily infested twigs.
- Gentle spray winter / after the crawlers hatchHorticultural oil on the bark in the dormant season, or in season right after the crawlers hatch.
What you will see
Tiny brown scales on branches, sticky honeydew, weakening growth.
How to protect
- By handRemove heavily infested twigs.
- Gentle spray winter / after the crawlers hatchHorticultural oil on the bark in the dormant season, or in season right after the crawlers hatch.
Frequently asked
Quick answers.
When does littleleaf linden flower?
In June–July; the flowers are yellow.
Does littleleaf linden tolerate shade?
It tolerates part shade (3–6 hours of sun), but not full shade.
How much space does littleleaf linden need?
At maturity 32.8 ft–49.2 ft wide and 49.2 ft–98.4 ft tall; recommended spacing 32.8 ft.
Aphids — what can you do?
Check plants at least twice a week during fast growth. Wash aphids off with a strong jet of water; remove badly infested curled shoots.
Sources (22) Checked 24 October 2026
- plants.ces.ncsu.edu
- landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu
- vdberk.com
- api.gbif.org
- gd.eppo.int
- polleninformation.at
- pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- ema.europa.eu 2
- rhs.org.uk 2 3 4 5
- hgic.clemson.edu
- lwg.bayern.de
- Invasive plant lists — this species is not on them: EU, Slovakia, Czechia, Germany, Poland, Denmark
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Uses
In the garden and at home.
Pollinators
many