Red buckeye

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Aesculus pavia

Last reviewed: September 2026

Aesculus pavia is a small understory tree valued for upright clusters of red tubular flowers that bloom from March through May. It grows well in part shade along stream banks and moist woodland edges in warm temperate climates.

Red buckeye (Aesculus pavia) — Photo: no rights reserved

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

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

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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

When does red buckeye bloom?: Red buckeye blooms from March through May, sending up spikes of red tubular flowers before many other trees have fully leafed out.
What pollinators are attracted to red buckeye?: The tubular red flowers of red buckeye are especially attractive to hummingbirds and bees, including early season bumble bees.
How much light does red buckeye need?: Red buckeye does best in part shade, mimicking its usual spot beneath a taller canopy, though it can handle deeper shade or more open light if soil moisture stays consistent.
What kind of soil moisture does red buckeye like?: This tree prefers medium moisture and is often found along stream banks, bottomland woods, and other sites that stay damp without becoming waterlogged.
Does red buckeye keep its leaves year round?: No, it is deciduous and often drops its leaves by late summer, well before typical fall color change in many regions.
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.
Is Red buckeye HOA-friendly?: Red 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 the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

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Common questions

When does red buckeye bloom?

Red buckeye blooms from March through May, sending up spikes of red tubular flowers before many other trees have fully leafed out.

What pollinators are attracted to red buckeye?

The tubular red flowers of red buckeye are especially attractive to hummingbirds and bees, including early season bumble bees.

How much light does red buckeye need?

Red buckeye does best in part shade, mimicking its usual spot beneath a taller canopy, though it can handle deeper shade or more open light if soil moisture stays consistent.

What kind of soil moisture does red buckeye like?

This tree prefers medium moisture and is often found along stream banks, bottomland woods, and other sites that stay damp without becoming waterlogged.

Does red buckeye keep its leaves year round?

No, it is deciduous and often drops its leaves by late summer, well before typical fall color change in many regions.

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.

Is Red buckeye HOA-friendly?

Red 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.

Common plant problems, and what to check first

See all plant problem guides