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Tree · Sapindaceae family

Golden rain tree

Koelreuteria paniculata

Full sun in a garden ~4 m × ~3 m Flowers July to −29 °C
Flower colours Click a colour

In short a 10-second read

SunFull sun
in a garden after 10 years~4 m
in the wild up to 10 m
spacing 7 m
FlowersJuly
PlantingMarch–April, October–November
WinterNo winter protection

Where to plant and how much to water

Sun, soil and water.

It grows best in full sun, in dry to average soil.

Sun

Sun6 hours or more
Part shade3–6 hours
Shadeunder 3 h

Soil

tolerates any pH
acidicneutralalkaline
dry to averageloamysandygravelly

Watering

drought tolerant once establishedless when it rains

Frost

−29 °C
no winter protectionleafless in winter

How much space it takes

Mature size.

The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).

1 m2 m3 m4 m5 m6 m7 m8 m9 m10 m6–10 mspread 7–15 m
6–10 m× spread 7–15 m

Plant 7 m apart.

Reaches maturity in about 20–50 years. The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.

Calendar

Through the year.

Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.

The year at a glance

Flowers: JanuaryFlowers: FebruaryFlowers: MarchFlowers: AprilFlowers: MayFlowers: JuneFlowers: JulyFlowers: AugustFlowers: SeptemberFlowers: OctoberFlowers: NovemberFlowers: DecemberPlanting: JanuaryPlanting: FebruaryPlanting: MarchPlanting: AprilPlanting: MayPlanting: JunePlanting: JulyPlanting: AugustPlanting: SeptemberPlanting: OctoberPlanting: NovemberPlanting: DecemberFeeding: JanuaryFeeding: FebruaryFeeding: MarchFeeding: AprilFeeding: MayFeeding: JuneFeeding: JulyFeeding: AugustFeeding: SeptemberFeeding: OctoberFeeding: NovemberFeeding: DecemberJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
FlowersPlantingFeeding
Now, in October: a good time for planting (container plant, bare-root, root-balled).
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Flowers

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

July · yellow

Planting

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

container plant: March–April, October–November; bare-root: March–April, October–November; root-balled: March–April, October–November

Feeding

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May–June

Feeding

Nutrition.

Horn meal

up to 55 g/m² a year, if the soil needs it · May–June

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Pests and diseases

Common problems and what to do.

The most common problems in Central Europe. Protection is listed from the gentlest option.

What you will see

Leaves yellow and wilt, often on one side of the tree only. When a branch is cut, the wood is green to black or streaked. The tree usually cannot be cured.

When to look

Throughout the year; symptoms can develop rapidly in hot weather

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Do not plant susceptible species where a tree has been killed by this disease.
    • Do not make mulch from the wood of affected trees.
    • Do not overdo feeding and pruning.
  2. By hand spring – summerWith mild symptoms, cut out affected branches, disinfect tools, water the tree and keep it vigorous. There is no reliable chemical cure.
Verticillium wiltdisease · throughout the year; symptoms can develop rapidly in hot weather

What you will see

Leaves yellow and wilt, often on one side of the tree only. When a branch is cut, the wood is green to black or streaked. The tree usually cannot be cured.

When to look

Throughout the year; symptoms can develop rapidly in hot weather

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Do not plant susceptible species where a tree has been killed by this disease.
    • Do not make mulch from the wood of affected trees.
    • Do not overdo feeding and pruning.
  2. By hand spring – summerWith mild symptoms, cut out affected branches, disinfect tools, water the tree and keep it vigorous. There is no reliable chemical cure.
More about this problem

What you will see

Shell-like bumps on shoots and the underside of leaves, sticky honeydew with black sooty mould on it; with heavy infestation, weak growth.

When to look

All year

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Keep the tree healthy; it can tolerate a light infestation.
    • Encourage ladybirds, parasitic wasps and birds.
  2. By hand when you see themRemove adult scale insects and egg masses by hand when you see them; with large numbers this is not enough.
  3. Biological only when neededFor soft scales, Steinernema feltiae nematodes are sold for a specific problem (use with caution, as they can also infect non-target animals).
Scale insectspest · all year

What you will see

Shell-like bumps on shoots and the underside of leaves, sticky honeydew with black sooty mould on it; with heavy infestation, weak growth.

When to look

All year

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Keep the tree healthy; it can tolerate a light infestation.
    • Encourage ladybirds, parasitic wasps and birds.
  2. By hand when you see themRemove adult scale insects and egg masses by hand when you see them; with large numbers this is not enough.
  3. Biological only when neededFor soft scales, Steinernema feltiae nematodes are sold for a specific problem (use with caution, as they can also infect non-target animals).
More about this problem
Sources (5)

Frequently asked

Quick answers.

When does golden rain tree flower?

In July; the flowers are yellow.

Does golden rain tree tolerate shade?

No, it needs full sun.

How much space does golden rain tree need?

At maturity 7–15 m wide and 6–10 m tall; recommended spacing 7 m.

Verticillium wilt — what can you do?

Do not plant susceptible species where a tree has been killed by this disease. With mild symptoms, cut out affected branches, disinfect tools, water the tree and keep it vigorous. There is no reliable chemical cure.

Scale insects — what can you do?

Keep the tree healthy; it can tolerate a light infestation. Remove adult scale insects and egg masses by hand when you see them; with large numbers this is not enough.

Sources (17) Checked 24 October 2026

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