Longleaf Pine
Pinus palustris
Last reviewed: September 2026
Pinus palustris is a tall, fire-adapted pine of sandy uplands and flatwoods across the southeastern coastal plain, growing best in full sun with long, dark green needles held year round.
Toxicity unknown
Longleaf Pine (Pinus palustris) 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 Longleaf Pine as toxic to livestock.
Light
full sun
Water
medium
Size
960"–1200" H × 6"–18" W
Bloom
Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov
Native to
AL, FL, GA, LA and 5 more states
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.
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Longleaf Pine is a majestic native Texas evergreen that can reach 80-100 feet tall with a distinctive open, irregular crown. This slow-growing pine develops extremely long needles (up to 18 inches) and produces large cones, creating a distinctive appearance among Southern pines. It's highly valued for its historical significance and exceptional longevity, often living 200-300 years.
Growing Longleaf Pine
Grow Longleaf Pine in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 960 to 1200 inches tall and spread 6 to 18 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Longleaf Pine takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
- Tree size exceeds typical HOA-friendly range
Wildlife value
Supports numerous bird species including red-cockaded woodpeckers, brown-headed nuthatches, and pine warblers. The large seeds provide food for squirrels and other wildlife, while the open canopy allows native understory plants to flourish.
Common questions
- Does longleaf pine need full sun to thrive?
- Yes, Pinus palustris is a full sun tree and grows poorly in shaded or crowded conditions, which is why it dominates open, fire-maintained woodlands and savannas.
- How much water does Pinus palustris need?
- Longleaf pine tolerates a medium to low water range. It handles periodic drought well once established, thanks to a deep taproot, but also grows in seasonally moist flatwoods.
- What insects or animals pollinate longleaf pine?
- Longleaf pine is wind pollinated rather than insect pollinated, so it has no listed pollinators in the usual sense.
- When does Pinus palustris produce pollen cones?
- Pollen cone activity runs roughly from March through November, with the heaviest pollen release typically in spring.
- Does longleaf pine keep its needles year round?
- Yes, it is evergreen, holding long, dark green needle bundles on the branches throughout the year.
- Is Longleaf Pine toxic to livestock?
- The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Longleaf Pine as toxic to livestock.
- Is Longleaf Pine HOA-friendly?
- Longleaf Pine 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 the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). 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.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Longleaf Pine? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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