Sweet Buckeye
Aesculus flava
Last reviewed: June 2026
Sweet 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
300"–600" H × 240"–480" W
Bloom
May, Jun
Native to
AL, GA, IL, IN and 10 more states
Pollinators
bees, butterflies
Sweet buckeye is a medium to large native tree that produces showy clusters of yellow flowers in late spring. It develops attractive fall color and distinctive large nuts, making it a beautiful shade tree for larger properties.
In an HOA neighborhood
Sweet Buckeye takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: moderate. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
- Extremely large mature size (40-75 feet tall and wide)
- Drops messy nuts and leaf litter
- Scale inappropriate for most residential lots
Wildlife value
Host plant for luna moth, banded hairstreak butterfly.
The fragrant flower clusters attract bees and butterflies in May and June. The nuts provide food for squirrels and other wildlife.
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 Sweet Buckeye and shows pet-safe natives for your ecoregion instead.