How far apart should I plant Ashoka tree?

About 6 m (20 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 4–7 m (13–23 ft).

Does Ashoka tree need full sun?

Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.

How much water does Ashoka tree need?

High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance low.

How cold-hardy is Ashoka tree?

It tolerates about 5 °C (41 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 11.

When does Ashoka tree flower?

From about February for 4–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).

Is Ashoka tree poisonous to cats and dogs?

For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people not known to be toxic. Not reported as toxic to people; effects on cats and dogs are not documented.

What grows well with Ashoka tree?

"Three sisters": climbing beans use corn as a support and fix nitrogen; the benefit to the corn is modest but real in low-input soils.

Ashoka tree Saraca asoca

Ashoka tree (Saraca asoca) is an evergreen perennial tree in the Fabaceae family, native to Western Ghats of India and Sri Lanka. It grows 6–9 m (20–30 ft) tall and 4–7 m (13–23 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and high water, and is hardy to about 5 °C (41 °F). Space plants about 6 m (20 ft) apart.

Plan Ashoka tree in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.

Ashoka tree at a glance

Type	Perennial tree, evergreen
Family	Fabaceae
Mature height	6–9 m (20–30 ft)
Mature spread	4–7 m (13–23 ft)
Spacing	6 m (20 ft) centre to centre
Sun	Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day
Water	High; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance low
Soil pH	5.5–7
Cold hardiness	About 5 °C (41 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 11)
Heat stress	Likely above about 40 °C (104 °F)
Flowering	from about February for 4–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones)
Wind tolerance	Low
Pollinator value	Moderate
Edible	Not grown as food
Native to	Western Ghats of India and Sri Lanka
Common in gardens of	🇮🇳 India

Is Ashoka tree toxic?

People: not known to be toxic
Cats: not well documented
Dogs: not well documented

Not reported as toxic to people; effects on cats and dogs are not documented.

If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.

Companion planting: what to grow with Ashoka tree

Good neighbours

good With Sweet corn: "Three sisters": climbing beans use corn as a support and fix nitrogen; the benefit to the corn is modest but real in low-input soils. Evidence C

Keep apart or take care

caution With Alliums (onion family): Onions, garlic and leeks are said to stunt beans and peas (allium root exudates may reduce nodulation). Traditional companion-planting advice; controlled trials are few, so treat it as a soft preference. Evidence D
caution With Alliums (onion family): Beans and peas are traditionally kept away from onions, garlic and leeks. Traditional companion-planting advice; controlled trials are few, so treat it as a soft preference. Evidence D
caution With Fennel: Fennel is reported to suppress beans and peas growing next to it. Evidence C

Questions about Ashoka tree

How far apart should I plant Ashoka tree?: About 6 m (20 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 4–7 m (13–23 ft).
Does Ashoka tree need full sun?: Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
How much water does Ashoka tree need?: High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance low.
How cold-hardy is Ashoka tree?: It tolerates about 5 °C (41 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 11.
When does Ashoka tree flower?: From about February for 4–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
Is Ashoka tree poisonous to cats and dogs?: For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people not known to be toxic. Not reported as toxic to people; effects on cats and dogs are not documented.
What grows well with Ashoka tree?: "Three sisters": climbing beans use corn as a support and fix nitrogen; the benefit to the corn is modest but real in low-input soils.

Sources and evidence

Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).

India Biodiversity Portal (species pages), India Biodiversity Portal
Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Notes and assumptions

Sacred to Hindus and Buddhists (the Buddha is said to have been born under one); new leaves hang limp and pink. Not the columnar “false ashoka” (Monoon longifolium).

Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.

Related plants

Bush bean Phaseolus vulgaris
Garden pea Pisum sativum
Sweet pea Lathyrus odoratus
Runner bean Phaseolus coccineus
Broad bean (fava) Vicia faba
Lima bean Phaseolus lunatus
Cowpea (black-eyed pea) Vigna unguiculata
Yardlong bean Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis