California Buckeye Plant Care

California Buckeye (Aesculus californica) belongs to the Sapindaceae family within the Aesculus genus. California Buckeye is native to California and southwestern Oregon. California Buckeye is also known as California Horse Chestnut.

California Buckeye displays a large deciduous tree growth habit, reaching up to 50 ft tall with a spread of approximately 30 ft. California Buckeye produces showy clusters of white, pink, or red flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 8 inches.

Water a young or newly planted California Buckeye every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

California Buckeye thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Aesculus californica tolerates temperatures of 60–90°F. California Buckeye prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for California Buckeye to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed California Buckeye every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

California Buckeye is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

California Buckeye can spread to about 30 ft (9.1 m) and reach about 50 ft (15 m) tall. Space plants about 30 ft (9.1 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune California Buckeye while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

California Buckeye is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

California Buckeye can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to assam horse chestnut plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

California Buckeye is susceptible to leaf miners, scale insects, horse chestnut scale. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

California Buckeye grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. California Buckeye is native to California and southwestern Oregon. In cooler regions, grow California Buckeye as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.