How far apart should I plant Eastern redbud?

About 6 m (20 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 6–9 m (20–30 ft).

Does Eastern redbud need full sun?

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

How much water does Eastern redbud need?

Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance low.

How cold-hardy is Eastern redbud?

It tolerates about -30 °C (-22 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.

When does Eastern redbud flower?

From about April for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).

Is Eastern redbud poisonous to cats and dogs?

For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not listed as toxic; flowers are edible.

What grows well with Eastern redbud?

"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.

Eastern redbud Cercis canadensis

Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis) is a deciduous perennial tree in the Fabaceae family, native to Eastern and central North America. It grows 6–9 m (20–30 ft) tall and 6–9 m (20–30 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -30 °C (-22 °F). Space plants about 6 m (20 ft) apart.

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

Eastern redbud at a glance

Type	Perennial tree, deciduous
Family	Fabaceae
Mature height	6–9 m (20–30 ft)
Mature spread	6–9 m (20–30 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	Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance low
Soil pH	6–8
Cold hardiness	About -30 °C (-22 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4)
Heat stress	Likely above about 36 °C (97 °F)
Flowering	from about April for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones)
Wind tolerance	Low
Pollinator value	High
Edible	Yes: flowers, young pods
Native to	Eastern and central North America
Common in gardens of	🇺🇸 United States

Is Eastern redbud toxic?

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

Not listed as toxic; flowers are edible.

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 Eastern redbud

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

Shared pests and diseases

Verticillium wilt: Verticillium lives in soil for years; hosts planted together or in sequence build it up. Evidence B

See Eastern redbud in a botanical garden

It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:

Missouri Botanical Garden (2 plants)
New York Botanical Garden (2 plants)

Questions about Eastern redbud

How far apart should I plant Eastern redbud?: About 6 m (20 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 6–9 m (20–30 ft).
Does Eastern redbud need full sun?: Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
How much water does Eastern redbud need?: Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance low.
How cold-hardy is Eastern redbud?: It tolerates about -30 °C (-22 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.
When does Eastern redbud flower?: From about April for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
Is Eastern redbud poisonous to cats and dogs?: For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not listed as toxic; flowers are edible.
What grows well with Eastern redbud?: "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).

Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
USDA PLANTS Database, USDA NRCS
Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, NC State Extension

Notes and assumptions

Pink-magenta flowers open on bare branches in April-May before the leaves; short-lived (about 20-30 years) and prone to canker and Verticillium wilt.

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