How much sun does Swamp-locust need?

Swamp-locust grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Swamp-locust bloom?

Swamp-locust blooms in April and May.

Where is Swamp-locust native?

Swamp-locust (Gleditsia aquatica) is native to AL, AR, FL, GA and 11 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

Swamp-locust

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Gleditsia aquatica

Last reviewed: October 2026

Swamp-locust (Gleditsia aquatica) is a perennial tree native to AL, AR, FL, GA and 11 more states. It blooms in April and May. The flowers draw bees.

Toxicity unknown

Swamp-locust (Gleditsia aquatica) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

full sun

Water

high

Size

360"–720" H × 240"–360" W

Bloom

Apr, May

Native to

AL, AR, FL, GA and 11 more states

Pollinators

bees

Before you buy

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Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 459 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Western Gulf Coastal Plain South Central Plains Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain Southeastern Plains Interior River Valleys and Hills Mississippi Alluvial Plain Mississippi Valley Loess Plains Southern Coastal Plain

A thorny, flood-tolerant tree with fine, fern-like compound leaves and small greenish flower clusters followed by flat seed pods. It grows naturally in swamps and floodplains and its trunk spines make it unsuited to close foot traffic.

Growing Swamp-locust

Grow Swamp-locust in full sun and high water. Mature plants reach 360 to 720 inches tall and spread 240 to 360 inches wide.

Wildlife value

Flowers feed native bees, and seed pods are eaten by waterfowl and other wildlife in flooded habitats.

Common questions

How much sun does Swamp-locust need?: Swamp-locust grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Swamp-locust bloom?: Swamp-locust blooms in April and May.
Where is Swamp-locust native?: Swamp-locust (Gleditsia aquatica) is native to AL, AR, FL, GA and 11 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What pollinators does Swamp-locust attract?: Swamp-locust draws bees.

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

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

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