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Native Plant Society of Texas

Eastern Redbud

Cercis canadensis var. canadensis

Other common name(s):

Family:

Fabaceae (Pea Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

This map uses data from the US EPA. EPA  servers have been offline frequently so maps may not display. We are working on a solution.

East Central Texas Plains, Texas Blackland Prairies, Western Gulf Coastal Plain
Bastrop Lost Pines, Floodplains and Low Terraces2, Northern Post Oak Savanna, Northern Prairie Outliers, San Antonio Prairie, Southern Post Oak Savanna
Floodplains and Low Terraces1, Northern Blackland Prairie, Southern Blackland Prairie
Flatwoods, Floodplains and Low Terraces3, Pleistocene Fluvial Terraces, Red River Bottomlands, Southern Tertiary Uplands, Tertiary Uplands

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Tree

Height

15
to
25
ft.

Spread

15
to
20
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Clay, Well Drained, Dry

Light Requirement

Part Shade, Shade

Water Requirement

Low, Medium

Native Habitat

Woodland, Wetland or Riparian

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Red, Pink

Bloom Season

Spring

Seasonal Interest

Fruit, Fall Color, Forage, Nectar, Pollen, Larval Host

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Birds, Nectar Insects, Deer, Hummingbirds, Moths, Bees

Maintenance

Showy, attractive, understory tree. Has a fast growth rate. Makes a good accent tree or shrub. If necessary, prune for shape. Provide well drained soil. Propagation: seed.

Comments

Blooms March-May. Purply-pink pea blossoms cover trunk and branches before leaves. Heart shaped leaves may turn yellow in fall. The fruit is a tan to purplish pod. Larval host: Henry’s Elfin.

References

1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=CECAC. 3) https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Cercis+canadensis+var.+canadensis&formsubmit=Search+Terms. 4) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=27177&locationType=County&mapType=Normal. 5) Miller, George O., Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas 2nd Ed., 2013, pg 48. 6) Wasowski and Wasowski, Native Texas Plants Landscaping Region by Region, 1991, pg. 282. 7) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=527241#null, 8) Native and Adapted Landscape Plants, City of Austin and Texas A&M, 2014.

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Seed Stratification Eastern Redbud seeds are tough nuts to crack. Scarification helps; soak them in hot water for 24 hours to soften the shell. Follow up with stratification at 3-5°C for 5-8 weeks to mimic winter and kickstart germination. Spring is your starting gun for sowing Eastern Redbud seeds. This season offers a full stretch of growing time, ensuring your seedlings can bulk up before winter. Timing is crucial when collecting Eastern Redbud seeds. Aim for late summer when pods darken, extending possibly into November. Local seeds are your best bet for hardiness. Once collected, dry them thoroughly and store in a cool place. 1) https://greg.app/propagate-eastern-redbud/ 2) https://www.wildflower.org/expert/show.php?id=4357&frontpage=true
Hardwood Cutting Rooting hormone gives cuttings a growth edge. Dip the nodes for 5-7 seconds, then plant with good drainage. Patience is key; expect to transplant your rooted redbuds by next fall. Gradually introduce your cuttings to more direct sunlight. Transplant when they're sturdy enough to handle the real world. A snug pot with room to grow and well-draining soil will make for a happy redbud. Choose healthy branches with several nodes. A node is where growth will sprout. Robust cuttings are your friends. Early spring is also the sweet spot for taking hardwood cuttings. This timing allows cuttings to establish roots throughout the growing season, setting the stage for strong development. https://greg.app/propagate-eastern-redbud/

About the Region

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our fall Symposium host chapter, the Tonkawa Chapter, includes both of these ecoregions.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason