What soil does Pecan grow in?

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

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

Is Pecan toxic to children?

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

How far from the house should Pecan be planted?

Plant it at least 2.5 m from buildings. Keep it at least 0.5 m from paving.

When does Pecan flower?

Flowering: April–May, green, yellow.

How much water does Pecan need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: medium.

Pecan

Carya illinoinensis

Pecan (Carya illinoinensis) is a fruit plant. Light: full sun. Hardy down to -29 °C. Drought tolerance: medium. Non-toxic to children. Sold in local shops from about €170.

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

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

A huge, long-lived relative of the walnut that gives fine shade and sweet, buttery nuts, but only for a large garden: in time it becomes a broad tree 20 to 30 m tall. Its male and female flowers do not open at the same time on one tree, so for a real crop plant two cultivars with complementary flowering (for example Pawnee with Kanza or Wichita). It wants a long, hot summer and deep, rich, well-drained soil, and its deep taproot makes it hard to move, so plant it straight into its permanent place.

Watch out for

In Central Europe the nuts ripen reliably only in the warmest sites with a long growing season, and even there mainly on early-ripening northern cultivars; after a late spring and a cool summer the crop is sparse or unripe. It leafs out late in spring, and a seed-raised tree takes 8 to 10 years to bear a real crop. Hardiness figures differ: northern cultivars take about -29 °C, while the large-fruited southern cultivars and young trees are more tender. The branches are brittle and break in wind, the falling husks, nuts and large leaves are messy, and it dislikes paving around it. Its pollen can be strongly allergenic.

Key facts

Light: Full sun
Water need: Medium
Care: Medium
Size after 10 years: 6 m × 4 m
Hardiness: down to -29 °C
Foliage: Deciduous
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D April–May, green, yellow

Group	Fruit
Light	Full sun
Size after 10 years	6 m × 4 m
Ultimate size	21–30 m × 12–23 m
Hardiness	down to -29 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Clay, Sandy, Calcareous, Acidic
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	April–May, green, yellow
Harvest	October
Self-fertile	no
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	Medium
Maintenance	Medium
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no
Spreading	Low
Distance from buildings	at least 2.5 m
Distance from paving	at least 0.5 m
Litter	Fruit, Leaves
Planting distance	1200 cm
For dogs	Mildly toxic (uncertain)
For cats	Mildly toxic (uncertain)
For children	Non-toxic
Typical price	from about €170

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. €170

Frequently asked questions

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

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