# Texas redbud (Cercis canadensis var. texensis)

> The Hill Country form of redbud: a small tree (15-20 feet) covered in pink-purple flowers on bare branches in March, followed by glossy, thick, wavy-edged heart-shaped leaves that resist heat better than eastern redbud. Fine for small yards, under power lines and as an understory tree. Austin's Grow Green guide specifically recommends it (and the Mexican variety) instead of eastern redbud.

Source: https://treerm.org/trees/cercis-canadensis-var-texensis · Updated 2026-11-08 · License CC BY 4.0

## Facts

- Family: Fabaceae
- Type: Broadleaf, loses its leaves in winter
- Mature height: 6 m; spread 4 m
- Growth: Medium growth
- USDA hardiness zones: 6 to 9
- Light: Sun or part shade
- Water: Low water
- Soil: Well-drained, limestone-based, alkaline soils; rocky, sandy or clay all work if drainage is good
- Native range: Edwards Plateau and north-central Texas into southern Oklahoma and northeastern Mexico

**Benefits:** Flowers, Pollinators, Fits small spaces, Drought tolerant, Fall color, Wildlife

**Good for:** Small yard, Street tree, parks

**Watch out for:** No major cautions

## Care

Plant in a well-drained spot; it will not tolerate wet feet. Give young trees a little afternoon shade and weekly water through the first two summers, then it is quite drought tolerant. Prune after flowering to shape, raise the canopy or remove suckers. Few pests; seed pods persist and can be harvested or ignored.

## Where it stands

- **Native:** OK, United States; TX, United States
- **Recommended:** San Jose, CA, United States (On the Our City Forest Community Nursery tree species list); Austin, TX, United States (On the City of Austin Grow Green native and adapted plant list (Watershed Protection). Listed as 'Redbud, Texas'; the guide states 'Eastern Redbud not recommended'.); Dallas, TX, United States (On the City of Dallas Article X Approved Tree List)

## Sources

- https://plants.usda.gov/plant-profile/CECAT
- https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=CECAT
- https://www.austintexas.gov/watershed-protection/plant-guide/redbud-texas
- https://www.treefolks.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/NeighborWoodsTreeMenu-2026.pdf