@TrueCowslip38 Newcastle upon Tyne, England

1/10

California Buckeye

About California Buckeye

California Buckeye is a relatively rare houseplant 🌿 that is isn’t challenging to grow and needs regular watering to thrive. They do best in long-lasting, direct light ☀️ and should be less than 1 foot from a window.

California Buckeye likes soil that is well draining. Your plant shouldn't need added fertilizers if you repot each time it doubles in size.

California Buckeye belongs to the Aesculus genus, and is native to California.

⚠️ California Buckeye is extremely dangerous if consumed. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian immediately. These plants are not recommended for homes with children, cats, or dogs.

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Aesculus californica

Genus

Aesculus

Family

Sapindaceae

Order

Sapindales

Also known as

California horse-chestnut,

How to care for California Buckeye

💦 Water

How often to water your California Buckeye

California Buckeye needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for California Buckeye in your home

California Buckeye love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

California Buckeye does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of California Buckeye in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize California Buckeye

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for California Buckeye: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your California Buckeye after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Hello! Any suggestions as to whether I should keep my buckeye tree in the pot it came in or re-pot it into something bigger? I want to avoid shocking it!

Browse #CaliforniaBuckeye

💡 FAQs

⭐ Difficulty Level

California Buckeye is generally easy to care for, though some plant parents report facing challenges with growing it. Check out the reviews down below to read more about their experiences!

How to Grow California Buckeye →

Benefits of Growing California Buckeye →

Common California Buckeye Problems →

Outdoor Care Guide for California Buckeye →

💦 Water Needs

California Buckeye prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

California Buckeye Water Frequency →

California Buckeye Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

California Buckeye requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

California Buckeye Light Requirements →

California Buckeye Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

California Buckeye is extremely dangerous if consumed. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian immediately. California Buckeye is not recommended for homes with children, cats, or dogs.

🪴 Soil

California Buckeye does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!

Best Soil Mix for California Buckeye →

Best Pots for California Buckeye →

When and How to Successfully Repot California Buckeye →

What Are Healthy California Buckeye Roots →

💩 Fertilizer

California Buckeye grows very slowly and doesn’t require added fertilizer. Replacing your plant’s potting soil once a year should provide them with more than enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

How Much and When to Fertilize California Buckeye →

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

California Buckeye will branch off as it grows. To encourage branching, pinch off the newest growth at the tip and the stem will branch off into two.

California Buckeye Lifecycle →

California Buckeye Size Guide →

How and When to Prune California Buckeye →

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
California Buckeye can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 7a-9b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

California Buckeye Temperature Tolerance →

California Buckeye Hardiness Zones →

Landscaping Ideas with California Buckeye →

When to Plant California Buckeye →

How to Plant California Buckeye →

Where to Plant California Buckeye →

Winter Care for California Buckeye →

Best Companion Plants for California Buckeye →

Is California Buckeye a Weed? →

🍂 Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.

Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in California Buckeye, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.

Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.