Mexican redbud is a small deciduous tree that’s uniquely beautiful three seasons of the year. Here’s everything you need to know about planting and caring for this native desert tree.
Mexican redbud (Cercis canadensis var. mexicana) is a small deciduous shade tree that’s native to southwest Texas and northern Mexico.
This charming tree has something special going for it three seasons of the year. In the spring, it’s simultaneously covered with orchid flowers and lime green leaves, a particularly winning combination.
In the summer, the heart-shaped, scalloped-edged leaves turn glossy dark green. In the fall, the leaves turn golden yellow, reminiscent of the fall foliage of aspens.
As a desert native, it’s resilient to extreme heat, cold, and drought. It’s a lot tougher than it looks!
If you miss the pink spring flowers or golden fall foliage of temperate climate trees, consider adding a Mexican redbud to your desert landscape.
Why I Like This Plant
- Wavy heart-shaped leaves
- Lime green leaves & rosy pink flowers in the spring
- Yellow aspen-like fall leaves
- Low maintenance, low water use
- No thorns, non-allergenic, non-toxic
- Attracts birds, bees, and butterflies
Optimal Growing Conditions
If you’re thinking of adding a Mexican redbud to your garden, you need to find a suitable place that will keep your tree healthy and looking good… while minimizing maintenance for you.
Here are the key factors to keep in mind.
Temperature
Mexican redbud should be grown in USDA Hardiness Zones 6 – 11. It is very cold-hardy, surviving temperatures as low as -5℉.
Sun Exposure
Mexican redbud can be grown in either full sun or part shade.
Size and Growth Rate
Mexican redbud is considered a slow-to-moderate grower. It’s a small tree that makes a great patio or accent tree, reaching a mature size of 15 feet tall by 15 feet wide.
Soil
Mexican redbud naturally grows in limestone soils, and so prefers alkaline soil. It grows equally well in sand, clay, or rocky soils, provided they are well-draining.
Pests and Diseases
A potential downside of Mexican redbud is that it’s a favorite of leafcutter bees. Depending on how you feel about pollinators, you may find this a “feature”… or a “bug”. 😉
Before you decide, you can learn about these amazing creatures in our article Leafcutter Bees: Garden Friend or Foe?
And as with many desert plants, it’s susceptible to root rot if overwatered.
Other Location Considerations
Mexican redbud has no thorns and is non-toxic, so you can feel comfortable planting it where it might come in contact with people and pets.
Since it’s deciduous, it does create some litter so would not be a good choice near a pool. The leaves are small, but leathery so they tend to hang around if not cleaned up.
Mexican Redbud:
The Essentials
| Common Name | Mexican redbud |
| Scientific Name | Cercis canadensis var. mexicana |
| Origin | Texas, Mexico |
| Plant Type | Deciduous tree |
| USDA Zones | Zones 6 – 11 |
| Cold Hardy | To -5℉ |
| Flower Color | Orchid |
| Flower Season | Spring |
| Mature Size | 15’ high x 15’ wide |
| Growth Rate | Slow to moderate |
| Sun Tolerance | Full sun, part shade |
| Water Needs | Low |
| Pests & Diseases | Leafcutter bees |
| Garden Friendly | No thorns, non-toxic |
| Wildlife | Attracts birds, bees, butterflies Deer, rabbit resistant |
How to Plant
The rule of thumb when planting any shrub or tree in the desert is to dig a hole three times as wide as the root ball but no deeper. Amending the soil is not recommended. Counterintuitively, backfilling with the same native soil you just dug up helps your plant develop a stronger root system.
When to Plant
The best time to plant Mexican redbud is in the fall. This gives your tree three seasons to grow roots and get established before the following summer.
The second best time is in spring, the earlier the better. This still gives your plant time to get established before the intense heat of June arrives.
How to Care for Mexican Redbud
Whether you’ve recently planted a new redbud or have an existing one in your yard, here’s how to take care of it to keep it healthy and looking its best.
How to Water New Plants
Once you’ve got your redbud in the ground, watering is your most immediate concern.
Here is the recommended watering schedule for new trees planted in the spring or fall.
| Weeks 1 & 2 | Every 3 – 4 days |
| Weeks 3 & 4 | Every 6 – 7 days |
| Weeks 5 & 6 | Every 7 – 10 days |
| Weeks 7 & 8 | Every 10 – 14 days |
After week 8, gradually extend the time between waterings.
How to Water Established Plants
As your tree becomes established, there are two watering factors to consider.
- First is how often to water. This will vary with the seasons.
- Second is how much water to give your tree with each watering. This depends on its current size.
To determine the ideal watering schedule for any desert tree, you’ll find everything you need to know, including easy-to-use charts, at How to Water Desert Trees: How Often? How Much?
Once your tree is established, it should not need supplemental water during the winter when it’s dormant.
Should You Fertilize?
In general, native desert trees don’t require fertilizer. And since Mexican redbud is a member of the legume family (Fabaceae), they fix nitrogen which naturally improves their surrounding soil.
How to Prune
Mexican redbuds naturally grow as multi-trunk trees and tend to send up suckers. If you are at all unsure about how to create the shape tree you want, I strongly urge you to hire a professional. Hiring an arborist (not a so-called “landscaper”) to get your tree off to the right start is an excellent investment that will result in a beautiful tree that will grace your yard for decades to come.
Note that pruning is not recommended for the first two to three years after you plant your tree. Waiting can be hard! However, you can prune suckers before then, ideally when the tree is dormant.
Pro Tip!
Mexican redbud flowers bloom on new wood.
So for maximum blooms, prune after flowers have bloomed.
Don’t Confuse Mexican Redbud With…
There are two other redbuds you might come across — western redbud (Cercis occidentalis) and Oklahoma redbud (Cercis canadensis var. texensis ‘Oklahoma’).
Oklahoma redbud is slightly more cold tolerant (down to -10℉) and the leaves are less wavy where as western redbud has larger leaves.
The differences between the Mexican and Oklahoma varieties are so slight that some experts believe they are the same species growing in two geographic locations.
Plant Lover Facts
I love to learn how plants get their names, particularly when they don’t make sense to me.
You may wonder why this plant is called redbud when the flowers are pink. They supposedly bear the name “redbud” because their inner bark is tinged with red.
(OK, this one still doesn’t make sense to me. I find this an odd choice considering this plant has so many other attributes.)
Cercis is a small genus of 10 species that are widely distributed around the world, growing in parts of North America, Europe, and Asia.
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Author Bio
Deane Alban is the creator of Southwest Gardener. She is a science writer with a bachelor’s degree in botany from the University of South Florida. Gardening is her lifelong passion. She’s been gardening in Tucson for 15 years.
Photo Image
“Mexican Redbud In Bloom” by pecooper98362 is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0