Catalpa is a tree, a long-term addition to the landscape. Notably, it shrugs off deer. Its early summer flowers are a moderate draw for honeybees, native bees, and butterflies. A nitrogen-fixer, it draws nitrogen from the air and feeds it back to the soil — turn it under or leave the roots in place, and the next planting inherits a richer bed.
Zones
Data not available
pH Range
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Sun
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Days to Maturity
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Score Catalpa on your exact land.
Zone averages can't see the slope, soil, frost, and sun that decide whether catalpa actually takes — and those shift from one yard to the next. Enter your address and we'll score catalpa against your land's real conditions.
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What Catalpa is
Catalpa grows as a perennial and reaches around 60 feet at maturity. It blooms white in early summer. It's also deer-resistant.
How to grow Catalpa
It needs about 500 hours of winter chill, which is why climate matters as much as soil.
USDA Zones
Data not available
USDA PHZM 2023
Soil pH
Data pending
USDA PLANTS Database
Sun
Data pending
plant_species_v5.csv
Drainage
Data pending
plant_species_v5.csv
Mature Height
60 ft
plant_species_v5.csv
Chill Hours
500+
plant_species_v5.csv
Frost-Free Days
0+
plant_species_v5.csv
Plant it right
Set catalpa in full sun with well-drained soil. Many fruit trees need a second variety nearby to pollinate — check before you plant just one.
Match the soil
Pull a soil test from your local Extension lab to confirm pH and drainage match catalpa's needs before planting. It fixes its own nitrogen, so skip the high-nitrogen feed and instead dust the seed with a matching rhizobium inoculant at sowing.
Water steadily
Keep the root zone evenly moist through establishment. Match watering to the plant's drainage preference and your local rainfall.
Be patient, then harvest
Prune annually while the tree establishes; fruit trees reward patience with years of harvest. Local Extension guides publish per-cultivar bearing-age tables.
Good to know
Good news for pet owners — catalpa isn't known to be toxic to dogs or cats. (Source: ASPCA.)
Catalpa offers moderate value to bees and other pollinators. (Source: Xerces Society, Pollinator Partnership.)
Where Catalpa thrives
Whether catalpa thrives on a given site comes down to its soil pH, drainage, sun, and frost dates — the conditions that vary parcel to parcel.
See if Catalpa will thrive on your land
Zone averages are a start. Your exact soil pH, drainage, sun exposure, and frost dates shape whether catalpa actually takes — we score it against the real conditions at your address.
Three things about your exact spot that zone averages miss:
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I grow Catalpa in my zone?
Zone data for catalpa is being finalized. A Growable Ground report checks your parcel's full suitability against federal soil, climate, and zone data.
When should you plant Catalpa?
Set catalpa out in early spring or fall while it's dormant, so the roots establish before the heat of summer. Your local last-frost date — which a Growable Ground report pulls for your exact address — sets the precise window.
What soil does Catalpa need?
Specific pH data for catalpa is pending. A soil test from your local Extension lab confirms what your site needs.
Does Catalpa attract pollinators?
Yes — catalpa's flowers are a solid nectar source for honeybees, native bees, and butterflies (Xerces Society, Pollinator Partnership).
Is Catalpa safe for pets?
Catalpa is not known to be toxic to dogs or cats based on available data (ASPCA). Always supervise pets around new plantings.