How far apart should I plant Mopane (butterfly tree)?

About 6 m (20 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 3–10 m (10–33 ft).

Does Mopane (butterfly tree) need full sun?

Full sun: at least 8 hours of direct sun a day.

How much water does Mopane (butterfly tree) need?

Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance low.

How cold-hardy is Mopane (butterfly tree)?

It tolerates about -3 °C (27 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.

When does Mopane (butterfly tree) flower?

From about January for 3–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).

Is Mopane (butterfly tree) 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 poisonous; the leaves are browsed by elephants and the tree hosts the edible mopane worm caterpillar.

What grows well with Mopane (butterfly 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.

Mopane (butterfly tree) Colophospermum mopane

Mopane (butterfly tree) (Colophospermum mopane) is a deciduous perennial tree in the Fabaceae family, native to Hot, dry lowlands of southern Africa (Angola and Namibia to Mozambique and Limpopo). It grows 4–18 m (13–59 ft) tall and 3–10 m (10–33 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -3 °C (27 °F). Space plants about 6 m (20 ft) apart.

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Mopane (butterfly tree) at a glance

Type	Perennial tree, deciduous
Family	Fabaceae
Mature height	4–18 m (13–59 ft)
Mature spread	3–10 m (10–33 ft)
Spacing	6 m (20 ft) centre to centre
Sun	Full sun, at least 8 h of direct sun a day
Water	Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance low
Soil pH	6–9
Cold hardiness	About -3 °C (27 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9)
Heat stress	Likely above about 46 °C (115 °F)
Flowering	from about January for 3–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones)
Wind tolerance	Moderate
Pollinator value	Low
Edible	Not grown as food
Native to	Hot, dry lowlands of southern Africa (Angola and Namibia to Mozambique and Limpopo)
Common in gardens of	🇿🇦 South Africa

Is Mopane (butterfly tree) toxic?

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

Not poisonous; the leaves are browsed by elephants and the tree hosts the edible mopane worm caterpillar.

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 Mopane (butterfly 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 Mopane (butterfly tree)

How far apart should I plant Mopane (butterfly tree)?: About 6 m (20 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 3–10 m (10–33 ft).
Does Mopane (butterfly tree) need full sun?: Full sun: at least 8 hours of direct sun a day.
How much water does Mopane (butterfly tree) need?: Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance low.
How cold-hardy is Mopane (butterfly tree)?: It tolerates about -3 °C (27 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
When does Mopane (butterfly tree) flower?: From about January for 3–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
Is Mopane (butterfly tree) 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 poisonous; the leaves are browsed by elephants and the tree hosts the edible mopane worm caterpillar.
What grows well with Mopane (butterfly 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 A (A: strong evidence).

Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
PlantZAfrica, South African National Biodiversity Institute
Agroforestree Database: a tree reference and selection guide, World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF), Nairobi

Notes and assumptions

A savanna plant of hot summers and a long dry season; it wants sharp drainage and resents cold, wet winters.
Each leaf is two leaflets like butterfly wings; they fold together in the midday heat to cast little shade. Dominates huge areas of mopane veld on heavy, alkaline soils. Mopane worms (the caterpillar of the emperor moth Gonimbrasia belina) feed on it and are a traditional, widely traded food.

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