What soil does Eastern redbud grow in?

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

Is Eastern redbud hardy?

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

Is Eastern redbud toxic to children?

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

How far from the house should Eastern redbud be planted?

Plant it at least 2 m from buildings. Keep it at least 1.5 m from paving.

When does Eastern redbud flower?

Flowering: April–May, pink, purple.

How much water does Eastern redbud need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: low.

How much does Eastern redbud cost?

It sells for roughly €68 to €170 in local shops, depending on size.

Eastern redbud

Cercis canadensis

Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis) is a small tree. Light: full sun, part shade. Hardy down to -29 °C. Drought tolerance: low. Non-toxic to children. Sold in local shops from about €68.

Illustration of Eastern redbud — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

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

Eastern redbud is a small, often multi-stemmed ornamental tree: in spring, before the leaves, rosy pink to purple pea flowers cover the bare branches and even the trunk, followed by heart-shaped leaves. Nurseries sell it almost only as purple-leaved cultivars (such as Forest Pansy), whose foliage opens deep burgundy, fades towards green by midsummer and turns orange and red in autumn. Give it a sheltered spot in sun or with afternoon shade and well-drained soil that does not dry out, and plant it young in its final place because it resents being moved.

Watch out for

Its most serious disease is canker (a fungal infection that kills branches), and verticillium wilt can also take it; the purple-leaved Forest Pansy is particularly susceptible to the latter. The purple-leaved cultivars are less hardy than the green species: on young trees hard winter frost, cold wind and late spring frost can damage the shoots. In the hot summers of Central Europe the leaves scorch in full sun without watering, and the purple colour turns green in the heat. The wood is brittle, so branches split easily in wind and under snow, and the tree is not long-lived. It does not tolerate waterlogged soil.

Key facts

Light: Full sun, Part shade
Water need: Medium
Care: Medium
Size after 10 years: 3.5 m × 3 m
Hardiness: down to -29 °C
Foliage: Deciduous
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D April–May, pink, purple

Group	Small tree
Light	Full sun, Part shade
Size after 10 years	3.5 m × 3 m
Ultimate size	4–9 m × 4–9 m
Hardiness	down to -29 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Clay, Sandy, Calcareous, Acidic
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	April–May, pink, purple
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	Low
Maintenance	Medium
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no
Spreading	Low
Distance from buildings	at least 2 m
Distance from paving	at least 1.5 m
Litter	Fruit
Planting distance	400 cm
For dogs	Non-toxic (uncertain)
For cats	Non-toxic (uncertain)
For children	Non-toxic
Typical price	from about €68

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
50+ cm	approx. €68
130-160 cm	approx. €120
175-225 cm	approx. €150
175+ cm	approx. €160
180-200 cm	approx. €120
180-220 cm	approx. €130
size not stated	approx. €81 – €170

Frequently asked questions

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

Appears in these lists

Plants that are non-toxic to children Small ornamental trees Small trees for beside paths and paving Plants with autumn colour

Compare with similar plants

Eastern redbud vs Kousa dogwood Eastern redbud vs Rowan

Looks good next to it

Japanese pieris

Pieris japonica

Persian ivy

Hedera colchica

Small-leaved cotoneaster

Cotoneaster microphyllus