Golden Rain Tree
Koelreuteria paniculata · Deciduous broadleaf hardwood
Plant Family
Sapindaceae
Tree Category
Ornamental and shade tree
Variety / Cultivar
Standard species (no specific cultivar)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 5 to 9
About This Tree
A small to medium-sized deciduous tree with an upright, rounded, and spreading crown, known for its showy yellow summer flowers and unique lantern-like seed pods
Leaf Characteristics
Pinnately or bipinnately compound leaves, alternate arrangement, serrated margins, bright green turning yellow in autumn
Bark Characteristics
Light grayish-brown bark with shallow ridges and furrows that become more pronounced with age
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to East Asia including China, Korea, and Japan
Growing Season
Spring leafing, summer yellow blooms followed by papery bladder-like seed pods, entering dormancy in late autumn
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun, low to moderate water needs once established, highly drought-tolerant
Mature Size
30 to 40 feet tall with an equal or greater spread, moderate growth rate, lifespan around 50 to 70 years
Special Characteristics
Highly tolerant of urban pollution, drought, and poor soil conditions; striking lantern-like seed pods
Wildlife & Ecology
Attracts bees and other pollinators with its abundant nectar-rich flowers, and seeds are consumed by various birds