Is the Catalpa tree messy?

Yes, it drops large leaves in autumn and long seed pods throughout the winter.

How fast does it grow?

It is a vigorous grower that can add several feet of height per year under good conditions.

Plant guide

Catalpa.

Catalpa

Pronounced kuh-TAL-puh big-no-nee-OY-deez

Also known as Catalpa, Catalpas

Catalpa bignonioides — Photo by Melissa McMasters (CC BY) via iNaturalist

The Southern catalpa is a stunning deciduous tree known for its large, heart shaped leaves and showy clusters of white flowers. It makes a fantastic shade tree for larger landscapes. You will love the unique, long bean like seed pods that persist through the winter.

Another photo of Catalpa — Photo by zebedeugalinha (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Deciduous tree
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 12 to 18 meters
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 4 to 8
Bloom time: Late spring to early summer

Care

Plant this tree in a spot with plenty of room for its wide canopy. Keep an eye out for leaf spot or powdery mildew during humid spells. Ensure the soil stays consistently moist while the tree is establishing itself.

Watering: Water deeply during dry spells to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.
Feeding: Apply a balanced slow release fertilizer in early spring before new growth begins.
Pruning: Prune in late winter while the tree is dormant to remove dead branches or shape the canopy.
Repotting: Repotting is generally not applicable for mature trees in the landscape.
Soil: Moist, well draining, fertile soil
Soil pH: Acidic to neutral
Temperature: -30 to 35°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 50 to 100 years
Fragrance: Light
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Safety

People: All parts of the tree are considered toxic if ingested.
Pets: The plant is generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Children: The long, dangling seed pods can be a choking hazard for small children.
Contact allergens: The leaves and sap may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: The pollen can be a moderate allergen for some people during the flowering season.
Edibility: The plant is not considered edible and ingestion may cause illness.

How to identify it

Large heart shaped leaves
Showy white bell shaped flowers
Long slender bean like seed pods
Rough grayish brown bark

Height: 12 to 20m
Spread: 9 to 15m
Leaves: green, deciduous
Flowers: white, purple, yellow, 3 to 5cm
Fruit: brown, Autumn

Problems to watch for

By symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed, cuttings
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: No special winter care is needed for established trees. Mulch around the base to protect roots in harsh climates.
In containers: Not suitable for containers due to its massive size and extensive root system.

Seed

1. Collect dry pods in late autumn.
2. Extract seeds and store in a cool, dry place.
3. Sow seeds in spring in well-draining soil.

Softwood Cuttings

1. Take cuttings in early summer.
2. Dip the base in rooting hormone.
3. Place in a moist, sandy medium until roots form.

Plant shade-loving perennials beneath the canopy to take advantage of the summer shade.

Grows well with

Hostas · They thrive in the dappled shade provided by the large Catalpa canopy.
Ferns · Ferns appreciate the moist, shaded environment beneath the tree.

Similar species

Southern Catalpa · It is a closely related species with a similar growth habit and flower structure.

Science

Family: Bignoniaceae
Genus: Catalpa
Order: Lamiales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Eastern North America
Conservation: Not currently of conservation concern.

It thrives in moist, fertile soils near riverbanks and floodplains in its native range.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies, moths
Uses: shade tree, ornamental specimen, honey production

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 6/9
Nutrients: 6/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is the Catalpa tree messy?: Yes, it drops large leaves in autumn and long seed pods throughout the winter.
How fast does it grow?: It is a vigorous grower that can add several feet of height per year under good conditions.

Where the name comes from

The name Catalpa is derived from the Muscogee name for the tree, and the Italian botanist Giovanni Antonio Scopoli used it when he formally named the genus.

Good to know

The wood is remarkably rot-resistant and was historically used for fence posts.
Catalpa flowers are quite showy and resemble orchids.
The name comes from the Muscogee word for the tree.
It is a fast-growing tree that provides excellent summer shade.

Keep your catalpa growing

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.