Ohio Buckeye
Aesculus glabra
Last reviewed: June 2026
Ohio Buckeye is toxic to dogs and cats.
Listed as toxic by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (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.
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
Browse plants for this ecoregion
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.
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, backyard only.
- 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.
Native range data from the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants like Ohio Buckeye and shows pet-safe natives for your ecoregion instead.