Why is it called a cottonwood?

The female trees produce massive amounts of white, cottony fluff that carries seeds on the wind.

Can I plant this near my house?

No, the roots are very aggressive and can damage foundations and pipes.

Plant guide

Eastern Cottonwood.

Populus deltoides

Pronounced POP-yoo-lus del-TOY-deez

Also known as Cottonwood, Necklace Poplar, Plains Cottonwood, Rio Grande Cottonwood, common cottonwood, eastern cottonwood, match poplar

Populus deltoides — Photo by Vince Hale (CC0) via gbif

The Eastern Cottonwood is a fast growing, majestic tree native to North America. It is famous for its triangular leaves and the fluffy, cotton like seeds it releases in late spring. You will often find these giants near rivers or streams where they can soak up plenty of water.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Deciduous tree
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 60 to 100 feet
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 2 to 9
Bloom time: Early spring

Care

Plant this tree in a spacious area with plenty of room for its roots to spread. Keep an eye out for leaf rust or pests like aphids during the warmer months. Ensure it has consistent moisture, especially while it is still getting established.

Watering: Water deeply during dry spells to keep the soil consistently moist.
Feeding: Apply a balanced fertilizer once in early spring to support vigorous growth.
Pruning: Prune during the dormant winter season to remove dead or crossing branches.
Repotting: This tree is best suited for outdoor planting and is not typically kept in containers.
Soil: Moist, well-draining soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 8.0
Temperature: -40 to 35°C
Humidity: 40 to 80%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 50 to 100 years.
Deer and rabbits: Low

Safety

People: The plant is generally considered non-toxic but is not edible.
Children: The wood is brittle and prone to dropping large branches, so avoid planting near play areas.
Contact allergens: The sticky buds can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: The airborne seeds, often called cotton, can be a significant nuisance for those with respiratory sensitivities.
Edibility: The bark and leaves are not for human consumption and may cause digestive distress.

How to identify it

Triangular shaped leaves with serrated edges
Deeply furrowed gray bark on mature trees
Cottony seed tufts released in spring
Large, spreading canopy structure

Height: 15 to 30m
Spread: 10 to 20m
Leaves: green, yellow, deciduous
Flowers: red, yellow, 5 to 15cm
Fruit: white, Late spring

Problems to watch for

Cottonwood leaf beetle · Larvae and adults feed on foliage, potentially causing significant defoliation.
Canker · Fungal infections cause sunken areas on the bark that can girdle branches.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, seed
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: No special care is needed as this tree is extremely cold hardy. Ensure it is well watered before the ground freezes in autumn.
In containers: This tree is not suitable for containers due to its massive size and extensive root system.

Hardwood Cuttings

1. Take 20 cm cuttings from dormant wood in late winter.
2. Place the cuttings in moist soil or water until roots develop.
3. Transplant to a permanent location once the root system is established.

Plant these trees in large open spaces where their extensive root systems have plenty of room to spread without hitting infrastructure.

Grows well with

River Birch · They share similar moisture requirements and thrive in riparian settings.
Red Osier Dogwood · This shrub provides a nice understory layer that tolerates the shade of the cottonwood.

Similar species

Quaking Aspen · It is a smaller relative that also features fluttering leaves.
Black Cottonwood · It is a western counterpart with similar growth habits and ecological needs.

Science

Family: Salicaceae
Genus: Populus
Order: Malpighiales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Central and eastern North America.
Conservation: This species is common and not of conservation concern.

It thrives in riparian zones where it relies on periodic flooding to clear competing vegetation and expose mineral soil for its seeds.

Value to wildlife: larval host plant, nesting site
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: shade tree, windbreak, erosion control, timber

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 8/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 8/9
Nutrients: 6/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Why is it called a cottonwood?: The female trees produce massive amounts of white, cottony fluff that carries seeds on the wind.
Can I plant this near my house?: No, the roots are very aggressive and can damage foundations and pipes.

Where the name comes from

The species name deltoides refers to the deltoid or triangular shape of the leaves, while Populus is the ancient Latin name for the poplar tree.

Good to know

The name comes from the triangular shape of the leaves.
It is the state tree of Kansas, Nebraska, and Wyoming.
The fluffy seeds are actually small seeds attached to tufts of white hair.

Keep your eastern cottonwood growing

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This guide was generated with AI on October 19, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.