Quick answer: Common hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) is native to 33 states. What's commonly sold under this name is the true wild species. It's typically seed, verified 15 Sep 2026.
Photo: Chhe (talk), Wikimedia Commons (PUBLIC DOMAIN)
Where it's native
Listed in the directory as native to these states. Click a state for its full native-plant guide.
Growing conditions
From the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Native Plant Database.
| Sun | Sun, Part Shade, Shade |
|---|---|
| Water | Low water, Dry-Moist, high drought tolerance |
| Soil | Rich, moist soils, circumneutral pH, high calcium carbonate tolerance |
| Bloom | Bloom Apr-May |
| Height | Up to 100 ft tall |
| Wildlife value | Fruit relished by quail/pheasants/woodpeckers/cedar waxwings, larval host for Question Mark, Mourning Cloak, American Snout, Tawny Emperor |
Buying it
Sold true to the wild species as of the last check (15 Sep 2026), via Amazon.
Sold as: Seed via Amazon · listing verified 15 Sep 2026
See where to buy →Quick answers about Common hackberry
Where is Common hackberry native?
Common hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) is native to 33 states across the Northeast, Midwest, South and West. Check your state's page in this directory for the full list of plants native where you live.
When does Common hackberry bloom?
Common hackberry blooms Apr-May. Exact timing shifts a few weeks with latitude and elevation.
What growing conditions does Common hackberry need?
Light: Sun, Part Shade, Shade. Water: Low water, Dry-Moist, high drought tolerance. Soil: Rich, moist soils, circumneutral pH, high calcium carbonate tolerance. Mature height: Up to 100 ft tall.
Is Common hackberry good for pollinators and wildlife?
Yes. Wildlife value: Fruit relished by quail/pheasants/woodpeckers/cedar waxwings, larval host for Question Mark, Mourning Cloak, American Snout, Tawny Emperor.
Is Common hackberry deer-resistant or drought-tolerant?
Common hackberry is drought-tolerant and tolerates shade.
Where can I buy real Common hackberry seed or plants?
We found a listing sold as seed that names the true species, last checked 15 Sep 2026. Look for the scientific name Celtis occidentalis on any listing.
Similar native plants
Native plants that share growing conditions or range with Common hackberry.
- Common hoptree Ptelea trifoliata
- Eastern cottonwood Populus deltoides
- Green ash Fraxinus pennsylvanica
- Cockspur hawthorn Crataegus crus-galli
- Black cherry Prunus serotina
- White ash Fraxinus americana
Also listed under
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