Northern Catalpa
Catalpa speciosa
Last reviewed: August 2026
Northern Catalpa is a fast-growing deciduous tree native to the central United States, featuring large heart-shaped leaves and showy white flower clusters that bloom in late spring to early summer.
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 39 more states
Pollinators
bees, butterflies
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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 blooms in May and June, producing large clusters of white, trumpet-shaped flowers with purple and yellow markings.
- What pollinators visit Northern Catalpa flowers?
- Northern Catalpa attracts bees and butterflies with its nectar-rich flowers. The large, showy blooms are particularly attractive to various native bee species.
- Where is Northern Catalpa native?
- Northern Catalpa is native to a limited range in the central United States, including parts of the Mississippi River valley, though it has been widely planted outside its native range.
- How big does Northern Catalpa grow?
- Northern Catalpa is a medium to large tree that typically reaches 40-60 feet tall with a spread of 20-40 feet. It has a rapid growth rate when young.
- 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.
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