Judas tree.

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

30 feet

Growth rate

Medium

Hardiness

USDA 6 to 9

Bloom time

Mid to late spring

Care

Plant this tree in a spot with well draining soil to keep the roots happy. Watch for yellowing leaves which might mean the soil is staying too wet. It's quite hardy once established and doesn't need much fussing.

Watering

Water deeply during dry spells while the tree is young.

Feeding

Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring to support growth.

Pruning

Prune lightly in late summer to maintain shape and remove dead wood.

Repotting

Repot only if necessary while the tree is young, as it prefers to stay in one place.

Soil

Well drained, fertile soil

Soil pH

Neutral to alkaline

Temperature

-15 to 38°C

Humidity

40 to 70%

Drought tolerance

High

Lifespan

Perennial, typically 30 to 50 years.

Deer and rabbits

Moderate

Safety

People

The plant is generally considered non-toxic, but ingestion of large quantities of seeds is not recommended.

Children

The seed pods can be a choking hazard if ingested by small children.

Contact allergens

There are no significant skin irritants associated with this tree.

Airborne allergens

Pollen may cause mild reactions in sensitive individuals during the spring bloom.

Edibility

The flowers are edible and have a pleasant, tangy taste, but do not consume the seeds or pods.

How to identify it

• Heart shaped deciduous leaves
• Bright pink pea like flowers
• Flowers bloom directly on woody stems
• Flat brown seed pods persist

Height

3 to 10m

Spread

3 to 8m

Leaves

green, yellow, deciduous

Flowers

pink, magenta, purple, 1 to 2cm

Fruit

brown, Late summer to autumn

Problems to watch for

• Coral spot · A fungal infection that causes small pink pustules on dead or dying wood.
• Verticillium wilt · A soil-borne fungus that causes wilting and branch dieback.

Growing it

Propagation

seed, cuttings

When to plant

spring, autumn

Overwintering

Young trees may need a layer of mulch around the base to protect roots from deep freezes. Ensure the site has excellent drainage to prevent winter rot.

In containers

It is not ideal for long-term container growth as it prefers deep roots, but a large tub works for a young tree.

Pair this tree with low-growing Mediterranean herbs that appreciate the same dry, sunny conditions.

Grows well with

• Lavender · They share similar requirements for sun and well-draining soil.
• Rosemary · Both plants thrive in Mediterranean conditions and look great together.

Similar species

• Eastern Redbud · A close relative that is more cold-hardy and native to North America.

Science

Family

Fabaceae

Genus

Cercis

Order

Fabales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Southern Europe and Western Asia.

Conservation

This species is not currently listed as endangered or threatened in its native range.

It is well adapted to rocky, limestone-rich soils in Mediterranean climates.

Value to wildlife

nectar source

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Uses

ornamental specimen, pollinator garden, edible flowers

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need a lot of water?

Once established, it is quite drought tolerant and prefers not to sit in soggy soil.

Can I grow it in a pot?

It is best suited for the ground, but young trees can be kept in large containers for a few years.

Where the name comes from

Cercis comes from the Greek word for shuttle, referring to the shape of the seed pods, while siliquastrum means pod-like.

Good to know

• It is commonly called the Judas tree because of the legend that Judas Iscariot hanged himself from one.
• The flowers are a favorite of bees in the early spring.
• It thrives in warm, sunny spots with well-draining soil.
• The heart-shaped leaves turn a lovely buttery yellow in the autumn.

Also in

• Drought-tolerant plants