Honey Locust — Growing reference
| Scientific name | Gleditsia triacanthos |
|---|---|
| Seed germination (days) | 14–30 |
| Soil temperature for germination (°C) | 18.3–23.9 |
| First harvest or flowering (days) | 1825–5475 |
| Measured from | Transplant |
| Plant spacing (cm) | 914.4–1524 |
| Mature height (cm) | 1219.2–2133.6 |
| Mature spread (cm) | 914.4–1524 |
| USDA hardiness zones | 3–9 |
| Light | Full sun |
| Water | Low |
| Sowing method | Transplant |
Growing directions
Honey locust is one of the most broadly adaptable native trees in North America, tolerating alkaline soils, periodic flooding, urban air pollution, road salt, and heat that defeat other trees — widely planted as a tough street and lawn tree in the form of thornless, podless cultivars developed from its natural variety inermis. The feathery, twice-pinnately compound leaves create dappled shade that allows turf and understory plants to grow beneath the canopy more easily than under most large shade trees; the fine-textured leaves also break down quickly in fall without raking. Wild trees produce massive, twisted, dark brown seed pods up to 18 inches long that contain sweet pulp historically eaten by wildlife and indigenous peoples, and formidable branching thorns several inches long; select thornless, seedless cultivars for most landscape uses. Native pollinators, especially short-tongued bees, visit the inconspicuous but very fragrant creamy-white flower clusters heavily in spring, making honey locust an underappreciated urban pollinator plant.
Source and local conditions
Typical planning ranges from OpenPlantDB (CC0). Cultivar, climate, season and growing method can change these values. Confirm the seed label and local guidance before planting.
Source & verification
OpenPlantDB · CC0