What soil does Honey locust grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, clay, sandy, calcareous.

Is Honey locust hardy?

Hardy down to -34 °C (USDA zone 4, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

Is Honey locust toxic to dogs?

No. Reliable sources list it as non-toxic to dogs.

Is Honey locust toxic to cats?

No. Reliable sources list it as non-toxic to cats.

Is Honey locust toxic to children?

No. Reliable sources list it as non-toxic to children.

How far from the house should Honey locust be planted?

Plant it at least 3 m from buildings. Keep it at least 1.5 m from paving.

When does Honey locust flower?

Flowering: May–June, green, yellow.

How much water does Honey locust need?

Water need: low. Drought tolerance: high.

How much does Honey locust cost?

It sells for roughly €210 to €2,000 in local shops, depending on size.

Honey locust

Gleditsia triacanthos

Honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos) is a large tree. Light: full sun. Hardy down to -34 °C. Drought tolerance: high. Non-toxic to dogs, cats and children. Sold in local shops from about €210.

Illustration of Honey locust — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

A large tree with a loose crown and fine, fern-like foliage that casts only dappled shade, so lawn and other plants still grow underneath. It copes very well with drought, heat, alkaline soil and city conditions, and turns a good yellow in autumn. Nurseries mostly sell thornless forms, but the wild type carries long, branched, dangerously sharp thorns on trunk and branches, so check which one you are buying; fruiting trees also drop a lot of long twisted pods.

Watch out for

The long, branched thorns of the wild type can cause serious injuries, so plant only thornless forms near paths and play areas. Fruiting trees drop many pods that need clearing, and seedlings come up around them; spontaneous spread has been recorded in Central Europe too. The honeylocust pod gall midge (Dasineura gleditchiae) is established in Central Europe and deforms the leaflets at the shoot tips into pod-like galls, which is mostly a cosmetic problem. It comes into leaf late in spring.

Key facts

Light: Full sun
Water need: Low
Care: Low
Size after 10 years: 7 m × 5 m
Hardiness: down to -34 °C
Foliage: Deciduous
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D May–June, green, yellow

Group	Large tree
Light	Full sun
Size after 10 years	7 m × 5 m
Ultimate size	9–24 m × 8–15 m
Hardiness	down to -34 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Clay, Sandy, Calcareous
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	May–June, green, yellow
Water need	Low
Drought tolerance	High
Maintenance	Low
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no
Spreading	Medium
Distance from buildings	at least 3 m
Distance from paving	at least 1.5 m
Litter	Fruit
Planting distance	800 cm
For dogs	Non-toxic
For cats	Non-toxic
For children	Non-toxic
Typical price	from about €210

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
size not stated	approx. €210 – €2,000

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 13, 2026 · How our data is made

Appears in these lists

Drought-tolerant plants Drought-tolerant plants for sandy soil Plants that are non-toxic to dogs Plants that are non-toxic to cats Plants that are non-toxic to children Plants that give shade Fragrant plants Plants with autumn colour Large trees with autumn colour

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