Salix viminalis aka Basket Willow

Salix viminalis, also known as the basket willow, common osier or osier, is a species of willow that is native to Europe, Western Asia, and the Himalayas. This multistemmed shrub can grow to be between 3 and 6 meters tall, with long, erect, and straight branches that have greenish-grey bark. The leaves are long and slender, dark green above and silky grey-haired underneath, measuring 10-25 cm long and only 0.5-2 cm broad. In early spring, before the leaves, it produces catkins that are dioecious, with male and female catkins on separate plants. Male catkins are yellow and oval-shaped, while female catkins are longer and more cylindrical. The fruit capsules split open in early summer to release numerous minute seeds. Salix viminalis is commonly found by streams and other wet places, and its flexible twigs, called withies, are commonly used in basketry, giving rise to its alternative common name of "basket willow". As a rare houseplant, it requires regular watering to thrive and does best in long-lasting, direct light less than 1 foot from a window. Basket Willow prefers soil that retains moisture and may benefit from a gentle, organic fertilizer throughout the peak growing season.