Indian Horse Chestnut

Indian Horse Chestnut (Aesculus indica) is a large deciduous shade tree for cool and warm temperate gardens, growing to around 12m tall and 8m wide with age. Upright candles of white flowers, flushed pink at the throat, stand above the broad palmate leaves in late spring, and the foliage turns yellow and amber before it drops. It is slow, long lived and genuinely big, so plant it where that canopy will still be welcome in thirty years.

Why you'll love it

• Real shade, not dappled shade. The canopy is broad and heavily leafed, so an 8m spread covers a lawn or a seating area properly.
• Two seasons of interest. Flower candles in late spring, then yellow and amber autumn colour, and once the leaves drop the winter sun reaches the house again.
• Frost hardy and wind firm. It takes cold winters without protection and holds together in exposed positions, which suits tableland, inland and southern gardens.
• Bees work it hard. The flower spikes are a heavy nectar source when few large trees are offering one.

Where it works best

Shade tree. This is the main reason to buy one. Give it 8m of clear radius from buildings and services.

Driveways and avenues. Plant 10m to 12m apart along a drive. Closer spacing forces the crowns upward and you lose the spreading shape that makes the tree worth growing.

Feature planting. On acreage or a large lawn a single specimen carries the whole space, particularly in flower.

Growing Indian Horse Chestnut in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun and open ground. This tree wants a real winter, so it performs in Victoria, the tablelands and cooler inland districts. It is not a choice for tropical or subtropical gardens, where the lack of winter chill leaves it sparse and short lived.

Soil. Deep, moisture retentive soil that still drains. Dig a wide hole, work compost through the backfill, and keep 75mm of mulch clear of the trunk. Shallow or rocky ground holds it well below its potential.

Water and feed. Deep soak weekly through the first two summers while the roots go down, then moderate water in dry spells only. A complete slow release fertiliser in early spring is enough.

Pruning. Almost none. Remove crossing or damaged limbs in winter while the tree is bare, and lift the lower branches over a few seasons to mow beneath it.

What to expect when it arrives

We grow this one in a single size, a 45L pot, an advanced tree carrying real height rather than a whip. Stock is seasonal and often on backorder, since it is grown in small numbers. If it arrives bare or thinly leafed in winter, that is the tree doing what deciduous trees do, not a fault.

Expect a quiet first year while the roots establish, then steady growth. Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost, and every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Choosing a canopy tree for real shade
• Browse the deciduous tree range
• Plants with autumn colour
• Trees for lining a driveway

Common questions

Will it grow in Sydney or Brisbane?

Cooler western Sydney gardens can manage it, but coastal Sydney and Brisbane are too warm. Without winter chill the tree stays thin and flowers poorly, so warm climate gardens are better served by another shade tree.

How fast does it grow?

Slowly, which is the honest answer. Around 30cm a year once established is typical, so a 45L tree is a decade or more from full size.

Are the nuts safe?

No. The seeds inside the spiny cases are toxic if eaten by people, dogs or livestock, so this is not the tree for a paddock or a yard where children collect things.

How far from the house should I plant it?

Allow at least 8m from walls, paving and services, matching the mature spread. On a smaller block, choose a tree in the 4m to 8m band instead.