Hardy from zone 2 to 6, the European larch prefers moist, well-drained soils or deep, fertile soils overlying limestone or sandstone. It grows well on moderately calcareous soils, but is intolerant of dry, shallow, highly calcareous soils, compaction and drought.
Trees require free circulation of air and a sunny position.
This larch is relatively free of pests and diseases, although canker may be a serious problem. Woolly larch aphid, larch sawfly, needle rust and larch casebearer sometimes occur. The European larch is native to the Alps in central Europe from southeast France eastward to Vienna. It is widely planted in Europe and the US and is the only deciduous conifer commonly planted in Iowa.