When does Catalpa bignonioides bloom?

Catalpa bignonioides typically flowers from May through July, producing showy clusters of white blooms with purple and yellow throat markings.

What pollinators are attracted to Catalpa bignonioides?

Bees and butterflies commonly visit the flowers of Catalpa bignonioides for nectar during its spring and summer bloom period.

What growing conditions does Catalpa bignonioides need?

This tree performs best in full sun with medium moisture, tolerating occasional wet soil and periods of higher water availability such as near stream banks.

Does Catalpa bignonioides lose its leaves in winter?

Yes, it is a deciduous tree, dropping its large heart-shaped leaves in fall and regrowing them each spring.

Is Indian-bean toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Indian-bean as toxic to livestock.

Is Indian-bean HOA-friendly?

Indian-bean takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Indian-bean

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Catalpa bignonioides

Last reviewed: September 2026

Catalpa bignonioides is a deciduous shade tree that bears clusters of large white, trumpet shaped flowers from May through July. It grows best in full sun with medium to consistently moist soil, often near streams and bottomlands.

Toxicity unknown

Indian-bean (Catalpa bignonioides) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Indian-bean as toxic to livestock.

Light

full sun

Water

medium

Size

240"–480" H × 240"–360" W

Bloom

May, Jun, Jul

Native to

AL, FL, GA, LA and 2 more states

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Central Great Plains Cross Timbers Texas Blackland Prairies South Central Plains Piedmont Southeastern Plains Blue Ridge Ridge and Valley Eastern Temperate Forests Interior Plateau Mississippi Alluvial Plain Mississippi Valley Loess Plains Southern Coastal Plain

Indian-bean is a medium to large deciduous tree with broad, heart-shaped leaves and showy clusters of white, orchid-like flowers in late spring and summer. After flowering, it produces distinctive long, slender seed pods that hang from the branches and give the tree its common name.

Growing Indian-bean

Grow Indian-bean in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 240 to 480 inches tall and spread 240 to 360 inches wide. Expect moderate maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Indian-bean takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: moderate. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Very large mature size may overwhelm typical residential lots
Drops large leaves, flowers, and long seed pods creating significant cleanup
Irregular growth habit appears less formal than typical street trees

Wildlife value

Host plant for catalpa sphinx moth.

The fragrant flowers attract bees and butterflies during the extended bloom period from May through July. The large leaves and branching structure provide good nesting sites and shelter for birds.

Common questions

When does Catalpa bignonioides bloom?: Catalpa bignonioides typically flowers from May through July, producing showy clusters of white blooms with purple and yellow throat markings.
What pollinators are attracted to Catalpa bignonioides?: Bees and butterflies commonly visit the flowers of Catalpa bignonioides for nectar during its spring and summer bloom period.
What growing conditions does Catalpa bignonioides need?: This tree performs best in full sun with medium moisture, tolerating occasional wet soil and periods of higher water availability such as near stream banks.
Does Catalpa bignonioides lose its leaves in winter?: Yes, it is a deciduous tree, dropping its large heart-shaped leaves in fall and regrowing them each spring.
Is Indian-bean toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Indian-bean as toxic to livestock.
Is Indian-bean HOA-friendly?: Indian-bean takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

Ready to grow Indian-bean? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

Add this plant to your garden

iPhone app Android app

Planning a bed around it? Start a free plan with this plant

Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz