Carolina silverbell

Halesia carolina

Family: StyracaceaeZones: 4a to 8b

Pet & Human Safety

People: Not researchedPets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them

Hazardous parts

Not yet checked.

Preparation

n/a

Hazard type

Not yet checked.

Hazard route

Not yet checked.

How complete this information is

We have not researched the safety of this plant yet.

Toxic to pets

No ASPCA entry found.

ASPCA's species page for silverbell (Halesia carolina) lists it as non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses. ASPCA is the only source we found, and one source is not enough to call a plant safe for pets, so it is not assessed as safe. Keep pets from eating it.

PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

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Care

Hardiness zones: 4a to 8b
Water needs: moderate to high
Mature size: 10 to 40 ft tall, 25 to 35 ft wide; NC State's description separately says it rarely exceeds 80 ft with a 2 ft trunk diameter, the two figures disagree, both from the same page, so the 10-40 ft/25-35 ft dimension field is the one shown and the 80 ft figure is flagged as an outlier rather than dropped.
Where it comes from: Central to southeastern US: West Virginia to Ohio to Oklahoma and Illinois, south to Florida; found mostly in the Great Smoky Mountains, mountain regions and the upper Piedmont.

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

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