How much sun does Red buckeye need?

Red buckeye grows best in part shade conditions.

When does Red buckeye bloom?

Red buckeye blooms in March, April, and May.

Where is Red buckeye native?

Red buckeye (Aesculus pavia) is native to AL, AR, FL, GA and 12 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

Is Red buckeye toxic to dogs?

Yes. Red 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 Red buckeye toxic to cats?

Yes. Red 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 Red buckeye attract?

Red buckeye draws hummingbirds and bees.

Is Red buckeye HOA-friendly?

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

Red buckeye

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Aesculus pavia

Last reviewed: August 2026

Red buckeye (Aesculus pavia) is a perennial tree native to AL, AR, FL, GA and 12 more states. It blooms in March, April, and May. The flowers draw hummingbirds and bees. It reads as an intentional, HOA-friendly planting in the right spot.

Red 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

120"–180" H × 120"–180" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr, May

Native to

AL, AR, FL, GA and 12 more states

Pollinators

hummingbirds, bees

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 445 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Edwards Plateau Texas Blackland Prairies East Central Texas Plains South Central Plains Eastern Temperate Forests Ozark Highlands Piedmont Central Corn Belt Plains Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain Southeastern Plains Ridge and Valley Interior Plateau Interior River Valleys and Hills Mississippi Alluvial Plain Mississippi Valley Loess Plains Southern Coastal Plain

A small, low-branching deciduous tree or large shrub with palmate leaves and upright spikes of tubular red flowers in spring. Its rounded, multi-stemmed form and early bloom make it a strong understory or specimen planting.

Growing Red buckeye

Grow Red buckeye in part shade and medium water. Mature plants reach 120 to 180 inches tall and spread 120 to 180 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Red buckeye is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.

Works well in: front yard, foundation, mid zone.

seeds and foliage are toxic if ingested

Wildlife value

The tubular red spring flowers are an important early-season nectar source for migrating hummingbirds and bees.

Common questions

How much sun does Red buckeye need?: Red buckeye grows best in part shade conditions.
When does Red buckeye bloom?: Red buckeye blooms in March, April, and May.
Where is Red buckeye native?: Red buckeye (Aesculus pavia) is native to AL, AR, FL, GA and 12 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
Is Red buckeye toxic to dogs?: Yes. Red 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 Red buckeye toxic to cats?: Yes. Red 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 Red buckeye attract?: Red buckeye draws hummingbirds and bees.
Is Red buckeye HOA-friendly?: Red buckeye is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.

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 Red buckeye and shows pet-safe natives for your ecoregion instead.

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