When does Ohio Buckeye bloom?

Ohio Buckeye generally blooms in May and June, sending up spikes of pale yellow-green flowers before its leaves fully expand.

What pollinators visit Ohio Buckeye?

Bees and butterflies commonly visit the nectar-producing flower clusters of Ohio Buckeye during its spring bloom period.

How much sun does Ohio Buckeye need?

Ohio Buckeye does best in part sun but can handle conditions ranging from full sun to part shade, especially as an understory tree.

How much water does Ohio Buckeye need?

Ohio Buckeye prefers medium soil moisture and tolerates both occasional flooding and short dry spells once it is established.

What growth form does Ohio Buckeye have?

Ohio Buckeye is a medium-sized deciduous tree, often found as part of the canopy or understory in mixed woodlands.

Is Ohio Buckeye toxic to dogs?

Yes. Ohio Buckeye is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

Is Ohio Buckeye toxic to cats?

Yes. Ohio Buckeye is listed as toxic to cats by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your cat has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

Is Ohio Buckeye toxic to livestock?

Ohio Buckeye is listed as toxic to grazing livestock such as cattle, sheep, and goats (severe severity) by the USDA PLANTS Database. This is separate from pet (dog and cat) toxicity.

Is Ohio Buckeye HOA-friendly?

Ohio Buckeye is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.

Ohio Buckeye

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Aesculus glabra

Last reviewed: September 2026

Ohio Buckeye is a deciduous tree that blooms in May and June with clusters of pale yellow-green flowers attracting bees and butterflies. It grows well in part sun with medium moisture, often in woodland edges and river bottoms across the Midwest and mid-South.

Ohio Buckeye (Aesculus glabra) — Photo: (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)

Ohio Buckeye is toxic to dogs and cats.

Listed as toxic by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) (last reviewed 2026-05-21). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435and your veterinarian's emergency line.

Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants so you can choose a pet-safe native alternative for your yard.

Ohio Buckeye is listed as toxic to grazing livestock (cattle, sheep, and goats) at a severe level by the USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab). This is a livestock indicator and is separate from pet toxicity.

Light

part sun

Water

medium

Size

360"–720" H × 240"–480" W

Bloom

May, Jun

Native to

AL, AR, GA, IA and 20 more states

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

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A medium-sized native tree with distinctive palmate leaves and showy clusters of yellow-green flowers in spring. It produces large, glossy brown nuts in fall and has reliable yellow fall color, though it may drop leaves early during dry summers.

Growing Ohio Buckeye

Grow Ohio Buckeye in part sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 360 to 720 inches tall and spread 240 to 480 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Ohio Buckeye is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 3 out of 5.

Works well in: front yard, mid zone.

Large nuts may be considered messy when they drop
Requires adequate space for mature size

Wildlife value

Host plant for luna moth, tiger swallowtail butterfly.

The spring flowers attract bees and butterflies for nectar. The nuts provide food for squirrels and other wildlife, though they are toxic to humans and livestock.

Common questions

When does Ohio Buckeye bloom?: Ohio Buckeye generally blooms in May and June, sending up spikes of pale yellow-green flowers before its leaves fully expand.
What pollinators visit Ohio Buckeye?: Bees and butterflies commonly visit the nectar-producing flower clusters of Ohio Buckeye during its spring bloom period.
How much sun does Ohio Buckeye need?: Ohio Buckeye does best in part sun but can handle conditions ranging from full sun to part shade, especially as an understory tree.
How much water does Ohio Buckeye need?: Ohio Buckeye prefers medium soil moisture and tolerates both occasional flooding and short dry spells once it is established.
What growth form does Ohio Buckeye have?: Ohio Buckeye is a medium-sized deciduous tree, often found as part of the canopy or understory in mixed woodlands.
Is Ohio Buckeye toxic to dogs?: Yes. Ohio Buckeye is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
Is Ohio Buckeye toxic to cats?: Yes. Ohio Buckeye is listed as toxic to cats by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your cat has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
Is Ohio Buckeye toxic to livestock?: Ohio Buckeye is listed as toxic to grazing livestock such as cattle, sheep, and goats (severe severity) by the USDA PLANTS Database. This is separate from pet (dog and cat) toxicity.
Is Ohio Buckeye HOA-friendly?: Ohio Buckeye is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.

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.

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