shrub

Sunshine Wattle, Cedar Wattle, Small Cedar Wattle, Elata Wattle, Peppermint-tree Wattle

Acacia terminalis

The Story

Plant Bio

Acacia terminalis, commonly known as sunshine wattle, is an evergreen Australian shrub reaching one to three metres in cultivation. It retains its feathery, bipinnate foliage throughout its entire life cycle rather than replacing its leaves with modified petioles or phyllodes.

The pale yellow to bright golden flowers form globular heads arranged in terminal or axillary racemes from autumn through to spring. This species functions as a fast-growing pioneer plant in the wild, establishing quickly on poor, sandy soils over sandstone or granite.

Uses & Benefits:

Provides soft, feathery green foliage year-round and bright cream to golden flower heads from autumn to spring.

Acts as a fast-growing windbreak, screen, or temporary matrix plant in new gardens.

Attracts native bees, butterflies, and seed-eating birds while fixing nitrogen in the soil.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

118 inches

Width

78 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

9, 10

Water

Low

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

5-10 years

Native To

Eastern Australia

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Bloom period

Autumn – Spring

In flower about 7 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting site in full sun or dappled shade with free-draining soil.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but to the same depth.
Gently remove the plant from its pot and place it in the hole, backfilling with native soil.
Water thoroughly to settle the soil and apply a light layer of mulch, keeping it away from the stem.

Pro Tip

Prune lightly immediately after flowering to maintain a dense habit; cutting back into old, leafless wood results in poor epicormic regeneration.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Prune lightly after flowering to maintain a compact habit.
Ensure the soil drains rapidly to prevent root rot.
Use low-phosphorus native fertilisers if feeding is required.

Don't

Do not prune heavily into old, bare wood.
Do not allow the soil to remain waterlogged.
Do not over-fertilise with high-phosphorus formulations.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Fertilize
Mulch
Pest Check
Propagate
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Screening and informal hedgingPioneer planting in revegetation zonesUnderstory planting in dry sclerophyll gardens

Companion Plants

Eucalyptus species Correa reflexa Banksia spinulosa

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Sunshine Wattle, Cedar Wattle, Small Cedar Wattle, Elata Wattle, Peppermint-tree Wattle questions

What zones can Sunshine Wattle, Cedar Wattle, Small Cedar Wattle, Elata Wattle, Peppermint-tree Wattle grow in?

Sunshine Wattle, Cedar Wattle, Small Cedar Wattle, Elata Wattle, Peppermint-tree Wattle is hardy in USDA Zones 9–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

When does Sunshine Wattle, Cedar Wattle, Small Cedar Wattle, Elata Wattle, Peppermint-tree Wattle bloom?

Sunshine Wattle, Cedar Wattle, Small Cedar Wattle, Elata Wattle, Peppermint-tree Wattle typically blooms in autumn through spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Sunshine Wattle, Cedar Wattle, Small Cedar Wattle, Elata Wattle, Peppermint-tree Wattle need full sun?

Sunshine Wattle, Cedar Wattle, Small Cedar Wattle, Elata Wattle, Peppermint-tree Wattle does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Sunshine Wattle, Cedar Wattle, Small Cedar Wattle, Elata Wattle, Peppermint-tree Wattle drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Sunshine Wattle, Cedar Wattle, Small Cedar Wattle, Elata Wattle, Peppermint-tree Wattle handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.