Catalpa Tree

Catalpa bignonioides, the southern catalpa, is a medium-sized deciduous tree native to the southeastern United States. It is grown across temperate regions for its bold foliage and conspicuous early-summer flower display.

The tree's enormous leaves and dangling foot-long seed pods give rise to its common names, the Indian bean tree and cigar tree. It grows quickly, providing dense shade within a few years.

A close relative, the northern catalpa (Catalpa speciosa), is similar but larger; the two are often confused and the name catalpa is applied to both.

A broad, rounded deciduous tree reaching 10-18 m with an irregular, spreading crown.

• Leaves: very large (15-30 cm), heart-shaped, soft green, arranged in whorls of three or opposite; emit an unpleasant smell when crushed
• Flowers: showy upright panicles of bell-shaped white blooms with yellow and purple throat markings, in early summer
• Fruit: distinctive long, narrow, bean-like pods (20-40 cm) hanging in clusters, persisting into winter
• Bark: light brown-grey, scaly
• Habit: fast-growing, often with low branching and a broad canopy

An adaptable, low-maintenance shade tree for large spaces.

• Light: full sun preferred
• Water: moderate; tolerates wet soils and occasional flooding, also fairly drought-tolerant once established
• Soil: adaptable to most soils including clay and poor ground
• Temperature: hardy across USDA zones 5-9
• Feeding: generally unnecessary; thrives without supplemental fertilizer
• Propagation: by seed sown in spring, or from softwood or root cuttings

Native to the floodplains and riverbanks of the southeastern United States, particularly the Gulf states. It naturally favors moist, fertile bottomland soils.

Widely naturalized and planted well beyond its native range across North America, Europe, and Asia as a shade and ornamental tree in parks, gardens, and along streets.