Gleditsia triacanthos aka Honey Locust

Taxonomy

Genus Gleditsia Family Fabaceae Order Fabales Class Magnoliopsida Phylum Tracheophyta
The honey locust, also known as the thorny locust or thorny honeylocust, is a deciduous tree in the family Fabaceae. It is native to central North America, where it is found in the moist soil of river valleys. The tree typically grows 60-80 feet tall, with a rounded spreading crown. Its trunk and branches have stout thorns, often solitary or three-branched. In late spring, inconspicuous greenish yellow to greenish white flowers appear in racemes, followed by long, twisted and flattened, dark purplish-brown seedpods that mature in late summer and persist well into winter. The seedpods contain a sweet gummy substance that gives honey locust its common name. Gleditsia triacanthos is highly adaptable to different environments and has been introduced worldwide. However, it can be an aggressive, invasive species outside of its native range. Despite its popularity, species plants are generally not sold in commerce today because the thorns and seedpods are considered significant liabilities. There is also a thornless variety of the honey locust tree, which reaches heights of up to 30-70 feet. It has a short trunk and an open, spreading crown. This variety tolerates poor clay soils, salt, drought, black walnut, and is resistant to damage by deer.

Common names

Honey Locust, Three Thorned Acacia, Three Thorn Acacia

How to care for Honey Locust

Difficulty

Honey Locust is a low-maintenance plant that requires minimal attention, making it an excellent choice for beginners.

Water

Honey Locust should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Honey Locust loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Honey Locust requires abundant, bright and direct light. Placing it less than one foot from a window is the best way to make sure the plant receives enough light to survive and thrive. Depending on your region, however, the current weather can affect the placement of the plant in your home. For example, in some areas the sun may be too direct and intense, so it's best to place it farther away from the window. You may also need to adjust your placement according to the season as the sunlight can change intensity over the course of the year. If you live in a region with significant temperature fluctuations, such as a desert, you may need to place the plant a bit farther away from the window to avoid extreme heat or cold. With some care and attention, your Honey Locust will be sure to bring you many years of beauty and enjoyment.

Dormancy

During the cold period, it is common for Honey Locust to go dormant and their growth may slow down, so waterings should be spaced out more during this period.

Cat approves this plant

Toxicity

Honey Locust is not known to cause harm to humans or pets.

Region of origin

Honey Locust’s native range is Eastern N. America. Occasionally naturalized in C. and S. Europe.

More info:
Wikipedia

Report a problem

More Species in Gleditsia Genus

Gleditsia aquatica Swamp Locust

Gleditsia caspica

Gleditsia triacanthos Honey Locust

Gleditsia sinensis Chinese Honey Locust