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Princess-tree

Paulownia tomentosa

Found in roadsides, disturbed areas, roadcuts, forests. Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), South Central edition What its natural habitat tells you

-85
Severe harm

Not native to Alabama. How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 82%

Height
30–50 feet
Spread
20–30 feet
Light
Full sun, Partial shade
Soil moisture
Usually moist
See native alternatives

Do not plant. Listed invasive in Alabama.

Plant this instead

Choose your county to list local plants first.

  • Blackjack Oak
    Quercus marilandica

    Sun: Full sun. Soil: Somewhat dry to moist. Flowers: Yellow or green.

    Similar growth form, height, spread

  • Washington Hawthorn
    Crataegus phaenopyrum

    Sun: Full sun. Soil: Somewhat dry to average. Flowers: White.

    Similar growth form, height, spread

  • American Persimmon
    Diospyros virginiana

    Sun: Full sun, Partial shade. Soil: Somewhat dry to moist. Flowers: Yellow, green, orange or white.

    Similar growth form, height, spread

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At a glance

Life cycle
Woody perennial
Leaves
Deciduous
Bloom
April to June
Fruiting season
September to October

Recorded in 32 Alabama counties.

Natural habitats

Places it grows wild. Not a planting requirement. Each habitat page lists the plants and wildlife also found there.

1 of 2

Forests and woodlands

Trail on Little Kennesaw Mountain.
Named place / source context. Shown: Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, Georgia, a neighboring state.Trail on Little Kennesaw Mountain., Unidentified in HFC record, undated. Public domain. Source record.

Roadsides, fields and disturbed ground

Ground opened by people: roadsides, old fields, pastures, fencerows and lots.

All habitats

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

2CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including AL

Genus host records with ranges including AL · Paulownia

  • Hyphantria cuneaFall Webworm
  • Orgyia leucostigmaWhite-Marked Tussock Moth
Shropshire & Tallamy 2025, Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 1261 (ODbL)
—BeesSoutheastern regional records
—Specialist beesPollen specialists
—BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim
Growing and identification

Plant details

Family
Paulowniaceae
Hardiness
Zones 5a–9b
Soil pH
Acidic to alkaline
Flower color
Pink or purple
Growth rate
Rapid
Growth habit
Single crown
Foliage color
Green
Fruit begins
September
Fruit ends
October

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope
Also known as

Empress Tree; Paulownia; Princess Tree

Conservation status

Alabama rankSNA
Global rankGNR
AL statusNot verified
Federal statusNot verified

Conservation source Global and federal source

Sources