How much sun does Painted buckeye need?

Painted buckeye grows best in part shade conditions.

When does Painted buckeye bloom?

Painted buckeye blooms in April and May.

Where is Painted buckeye native?

Painted buckeye (Aesculus sylvatica) is native to AL, GA, NC, SC and 2 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

Is Painted buckeye toxic to dogs?

Yes. Painted 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 Painted buckeye toxic to cats?

Yes. Painted 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.

What pollinators does Painted buckeye attract?

Painted buckeye draws bees and hummingbirds.

Painted buckeye

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Aesculus sylvatica

Last reviewed: August 2026

Painted buckeye is toxic to dogs and cats.

Listed as toxic by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) (last reviewed 2026-08-15). 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 shade

Water

medium

Size

72"–180" H × 72"–180" W

Bloom

Apr, May

Native to

AL, GA, NC, SC and 2 more states

Pollinators

bees, hummingbirds

Before you buy

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A multi-stemmed understory shrub or small tree with palmate leaves and upright spikes of pale yellow to cream flowers in spring, followed by smooth brown seed capsules. Often forms loose colonial thickets in shaded woods.

Wildlife value

Spring flower spikes are visited by early-season bees and hummingbirds.

Common questions

How much sun does Painted buckeye need?: Painted buckeye grows best in part shade conditions.
When does Painted buckeye bloom?: Painted buckeye blooms in April and May.
Where is Painted buckeye native?: Painted buckeye (Aesculus sylvatica) is native to AL, GA, NC, SC and 2 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
Is Painted buckeye toxic to dogs?: Yes. Painted 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 Painted buckeye toxic to cats?: Yes. Painted 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.
What pollinators does Painted buckeye attract?: Painted buckeye draws bees and hummingbirds.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants like Painted buckeye and shows pet-safe natives for your ecoregion instead.

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