What soil does Indian bean tree grow in?

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

Is Indian bean tree hardy?

Hardy down to -29 °C (USDA zone 4, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

How far from the house should Indian bean tree be planted?

Plant it at least 4.5 m from buildings. Keep it at least 2.5 m from paving.

How much water does Indian bean tree need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: medium.

How much does Indian bean tree cost?

It sells for roughly €46 to €220 in local shops, depending on size.

Indian bean tree

Catalpa bignonioides

Indian bean tree (Catalpa bignonioides) is a large tree. Light: full sun, part shade. Hardy down to -29 °C. Drought tolerance: medium. Sold in local shops from about €46.

Illustration of Indian bean tree — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

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

A fast-growing tree with a wide, open crown, huge heart-shaped leaves, fragrant white flowers in upright panicles in early summer and long, cigar-like pods that hang on through winter. It is a good shade-giving specimen for a large garden, but it needs a lot of room, and the falling big leaves, flowers and pods mean plenty of sweeping. For a small garden choose the globe form grafted on a tall stem: it makes a dense round head 3 to 5 m high, but it does not flower or set pods.

Watch out for

The wood is brittle: storms easily break branches, and wind and hail tear the big leaves, so it belongs in a sheltered spot. Its main disease is verticillium wilt: branches suddenly wilt and die back and the tree may be killed, there is no cure, and a dead tree should not be replaced with another catalpa or other susceptible species. Powdery mildew, leaf spots and aphids can also occur. It leafs out very late, only towards May, and drops its leaves early. The crown of the globe form flattens and opens with age; regular winter cutting back keeps its shape.

Key facts

Light: Full sun, Part shade
Water need: Medium
Care: Medium
Size after 10 years: 6 m × 5 m
Hardiness: down to -29 °C
Foliage: Deciduous
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D June–July, white

Group	Large tree
Light	Full sun, Part shade
Size after 10 years	6 m × 5 m
Ultimate size	9–18 m × 6–15 m
Hardiness	down to -29 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Clay, Sandy, Calcareous
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	June–July, white
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	Medium
Maintenance	Medium
Root aggressiveness	Medium
Suckering	no
Spreading	Medium
Distance from buildings	at least 4.5 m
Distance from paving	at least 2.5 m
Litter	Leaves, Fruit
Planting distance	800 cm
For dogs	no data
For cats	no data
For children	no data
Typical price	from about €46

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
40-50 cm	approx. €46
size not stated	approx. €200 – €220

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 8, 2026 · How our data is made

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