When does Northern Catalpa bloom?

Northern Catalpa typically flowers in May and June, producing showy clusters of white blossoms marked with purple and yellow spots.

What pollinators visit Northern Catalpa flowers?

Bees and butterflies are commonly seen visiting the fragrant flower clusters of Northern Catalpa during its spring bloom period.

What growing conditions does Northern Catalpa need?

This tree grows best in full sun with medium, well drained soil moisture, though it tolerates wetter or drier conditions once established.

How large does Northern Catalpa grow?

Northern Catalpa is a large deciduous tree that commonly reaches 40 to 60 feet in height with a broad, rounded crown.

Does Northern Catalpa lose its leaves in winter?

Yes, it is deciduous and drops its large heart shaped leaves each autumn, leaving distinctive long seed pods on bare branches through winter.

Is Northern Catalpa toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Northern Catalpa as toxic to livestock.

Is Northern Catalpa HOA-friendly?

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

Northern Catalpa

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Catalpa speciosa

Last reviewed: September 2026

Northern Catalpa is a fast growing shade tree with large heart shaped leaves and clusters of white, trumpet shaped flowers in May and June. It thrives in full sun with medium moisture and adapts to a range of soil types.

Toxicity unknown

Northern Catalpa (Catalpa speciosa) 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 Northern Catalpa as toxic to livestock.

Light

full sun

Water

medium

Size

480"–1200" H × 300"–600" W

Bloom

May, Jun

Native to

AL, AR, CA, CO and 38 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.

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Northern catalpa is a large, fast-growing deciduous tree with broad heart-shaped leaves and showy white flower clusters in late spring. It produces long, thin seed pods that persist through winter and can create significant litter.

Growing Northern Catalpa

Grow Northern Catalpa in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 480 to 1200 inches tall and spread 300 to 600 inches wide. Expect moderate maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Northern Catalpa 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.

Drops large leaves, flowers, and long seed pods creating substantial litter
Fast growth can appear uncontrolled
Very large mature size may violate setback requirements

Wildlife value

Host plant for catalpa sphinx moth.

The fragrant flowers attract bees and butterflies in May and June. The large leaves provide habitat for catalpa sphinx moth caterpillars, which are prized as fishing bait.

Common questions

When does Northern Catalpa bloom?: Northern Catalpa typically flowers in May and June, producing showy clusters of white blossoms marked with purple and yellow spots.
What pollinators visit Northern Catalpa flowers?: Bees and butterflies are commonly seen visiting the fragrant flower clusters of Northern Catalpa during its spring bloom period.
What growing conditions does Northern Catalpa need?: This tree grows best in full sun with medium, well drained soil moisture, though it tolerates wetter or drier conditions once established.
How large does Northern Catalpa grow?: Northern Catalpa is a large deciduous tree that commonly reaches 40 to 60 feet in height with a broad, rounded crown.
Does Northern Catalpa lose its leaves in winter?: Yes, it is deciduous and drops its large heart shaped leaves each autumn, leaving distinctive long seed pods on bare branches through winter.
Is Northern Catalpa toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Northern Catalpa as toxic to livestock.
Is Northern Catalpa HOA-friendly?: Northern Catalpa 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.

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