The Story
Plant Bio
Albizia julibrissin, known as the mimosa or Persian silk tree, is a deciduous, fast-growing tree reaching up to forty feet in height with a broad, umbrella-shaped canopy of fine, fern-like foliage. In summer, it produces fragrant, pompom-like clusters of bright pink stamens that cover the crown and attract numerous pollinators.
The bipinnate leaves emerge with a bronze-purple tint in spring before turning green, folding inward at night or during rain. This species is highly adaptable to poor, dry soils but has weak wood prone to storm damage and is short-lived due to vascular wilt.
Uses & Benefits:
Essentials
At a Glance
Plant Type
Tree
Height
472"
Width
472"
Light
Full Sun
Zones
6, 7, 8, 9
Water
Low to moderate
Humidity
High
Lifespan
Short
Native To
Southwestern and eastern Asia
Toxicity
Seeds and pods are toxic to pets and livestock
Bloom period
Summer
In flower about 3 months of the year
Marketplace
Where to Buy
Shipping costs Year-round shipping Free shipping
Planting
How to Grow
- Select a planting site in full sun with well-drained soil, avoiding low-lying areas prone to standing water.
- Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper, ensuring the root flare sits level with or slightly above the soil surface.
- Backfill with native soil without adding soil amendments or fertilizer, and water thoroughly to settle the ground.
- Apply a three-inch layer of organic mulch over the root zone, keeping it several inches away from the trunk to prevent rot.
Pro Tip
Prune only in late winter while dormant, avoiding heavy heading cuts into old, leafless wood which triggers weak, crowded epicormic shoots.
Keep It Thriving
Care Guide
Do
- Water deeply but infrequently during the first growing season to establish a deep root system.
- Prune out dead, diseased, or crossing branches in late winter while the tree is dormant.
- Rake up and dispose of fallen seed pods to prevent unwanted seedlings and protect pets.
Don't
- Do not overwater or plant in heavy, poorly drained soils where root rot can develop.
- Do not apply high-nitrogen fertilizers, which stimulate weak, brittle wood growth prone to storm damage.
- Do not make heavy heading cuts into old, leafless wood, as this produces weak epicormic shoots.
Seasonal Care Calendar
| Task | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mulch | ||||||||||||
| Pest Check | ||||||||||||
| Propagate | ||||||||||||
| Prune |
Watch Out For
Pests & Diseases
Common Pests
Common Diseases
In the Garden
Landscape Uses & Companions
Landscape Uses
Companion Plants
Multiply
Propagation Methods
Good to Know
Common Questions
Mimosa questions
What zones can Mimosa grow in?
Mimosa is hardy in USDA Zones 6–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.
Is Mimosa deer resistant?
Not reliably. Deer may browse Mimosa, especially tender spring growth — plan on repellents or fencing where pressure is high.
When does Mimosa bloom?
Mimosa typically blooms in summer through summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.
Does Mimosa need full sun?
Mimosa does best in full sun (6+ hours).
Is Mimosa drought tolerant?
Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Mimosa handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.
Keep exploring
Explore the genus
Hardy in your zone?
Grow Mimosa with confidence
See it in a design of your actual yard, get zone-matched care reminders, and track it season by season in your garden journal.