Quick answer: Kentucky yellowwood (Cladrastis kentukea) is native to 8 states. What's commonly sold under this name is the true wild species. It's typically seeds, verified 16 Sep 2026.
Photo: செல்வா, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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 | Part Shade |
|---|---|
| Water | Low |
| Soil | Rich, well-drained, circumneutral |
| Bloom | Apr-Jun |
| Height | Up to 50 ft (occasionally 80 ft) |
| Wildlife value | Not recorded in the wildflower.org profile |
none noted; rare throughout its range, nearly pest-free
Buying it
Sold true to the wild species as of the last check (16 Sep 2026), via Amazon.
Sold as: Seeds via Amazon · listing verified 16 Sep 2026
See where to buy →Quick answers about Kentucky yellowwood
Where is Kentucky yellowwood native?
Kentucky yellowwood (Cladrastis kentukea) is native to Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. Check your state's page in this directory for the full list of plants native where you live.
When does Kentucky yellowwood bloom?
Kentucky yellowwood blooms Apr-Jun. Exact timing shifts a few weeks with latitude and elevation.
What growing conditions does Kentucky yellowwood need?
Light: Part Shade. Water: Low. Soil: Rich, well-drained, circumneutral. Mature height: Up to 50 ft (occasionally 80 ft).
Is Kentucky yellowwood deer-resistant or drought-tolerant?
Kentucky yellowwood is drought-tolerant and tolerates shade.
Where can I buy real Kentucky yellowwood seed or plants?
We found a listing sold as seeds that names the true species, last checked 16 Sep 2026. Look for the scientific name Cladrastis kentukea on any listing.
Similar native plants
Native plants that share growing conditions or range with Kentucky yellowwood.
- Loblolly pine Pinus taeda
- Sourwood Oxydendrum arboreum
- Shortleaf pine Pinus echinata
- Roughleaf dogwood Cornus drummondii
- Yaupon holly Ilex vomitoria
- Blackjack oak Quercus marilandica
Also listed under
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