honey locust
Gleditsia triacanthos
USDA zones3 to 8
SunHandles full sun to partial shade
WaterHandles moderate to moist soil
Size60 to 80 feet tall60 to 80 feet wide
- Growth rate
- Rapid
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer, autumn
- Bloom color
- Greenish-yellow
- Foliage color
- Green
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay, chalk
- Soil pH
- Circumneutral (pH 6.8-7.2)
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
Honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos) is a tree for specimen planting and shade gardens. It is hardy to USDA zone 3, or down to -40°F (-40°C). This plant likes full sun to part shade and average to moist soil of most types. Its feathery leaves cast filtered shade, and the twisted seed pods feed wildlife. It is not a favorite of deer, though hungry deer will eat almost anything. Wild trees carry sharp thorns, so look for a thornless form.
Pairs well with Lady's mantle, Western sword fern, and Northern bayberry.
Native range
Central and eastern North America.