Is a mimosa tree a beautiful addition to the backyard or is it an invasive weed? Ask a group of gardeners this question and you’ll quickly see that there are two very different trains of thought on the subject.
If you want mimosa tree, plant one. Just be aware of the fact that the trees produce a lot of seeds that can grow into unwanted trees that crowd out other plants, putting it on the list of invasive species in some areas. According to the Plant Conservation Alliance, 90 percent of the seeds are capable of producing a seedling after five years of lying dormant.
Mimosa trees, which are also known as silk trees, were introduced into the United States from Asia in 1745. The popularity of the mimosa trees is due to the high number of pink blooms that they produce and the fact that bees, butterflies and humming birds like them.
Also known as albizia julibrissin, mimosa trees grow 20 to 40 feet in height. The flowers, which resemble pink pom-poms in mid-summer, are a little more than an inch in length before developing into seed pods that can hold up to 10 seeds. The bark is smooth and light brown in color. The leaves, which grow five to eight inches in length and three to four inches in diameter, resemble a fern. They have a feathery appearance, making the tree popular as an ornamental.
Mimosa Tree Planting Tips
Mimosa trees require a good bit of sun. They will not grow in a wooded situation.
Sensitive to extremely cold temperatures, the trees are usually grown in United States Department of Agriculture hardiness zones six through ten. The far northern states and high elevations do not make good planting choices.
Mimosa trees tend to thrive in vacant lots, and along roadsides, rivers or streams because the flowing water easily transports their seeds.
When planting a mimosa tree, keep it at least 10 to 20 feet away from a house or structure.
Mimosa trees will grow in conditions from full sun to partial shade. The soil should be high in acidity. A pH level of 4.6 to 5 is ideal. Water the trees on a regular basis, but do not over water.
If your plot becomes over populated with mimosa trees, you may have to take control and rid the area of some. If so, be sure to remove all roots and surrounding seeds or the over population problem will soon reoccur.
Mimosa Tree Pests and Diseases
Mimosa trees are hardy enough to stave off most diseases. Mimosa wilt, also known as fusarium wilt, is the biggest problem. The wilt, which will fast kill a mimosa tree, is caused by a soil-borne fungus and infiltrates water-conducting tissues, blocking the flow of water and nutrients. There is no cure for fusarium wilt that attacks mimosa trees.
Mimosa trees are not affected by a lot of pest. However, they do harbor webworms, which are not usually a serious threat to mature trees. The webworms can quickly strip a young tree of its foliage.
Before you set out to plant a mimosa tree, take a good look at the available growing space and surrounding areas. It is easier to resist planting the tree than it is trying to rid your yard of invasive plants.
Want to learn more about growing mimosa trees?
Check out this site to learn more about USDA hardiness zones.
Visit this site to learn more about the role of mimosa trees in relation to landscaping and gardening for birds.
Click this link to learn about mimosa trees as an invasive species.
my daughter purchased for me (mail order) a mimosa tree it arrived and looked like a twig. it is now about 3 years old and is branching out, but the trunk doesn’t seem to be getting any bigger, it is only about 1/4to1/2 inch in diameter. I’m afraid with a hard wind it may snap. what if anything can I do to prevent this from happening. and is it normal for the trunk to be so small?
Mimosa Trees are pretty hardy, and normally a wind will not just snap off a trunk. Contrary to what many people think, the mimosa does not simply spread and make more trees. The seeds have to actually be planted in order the the seedlings to appear. Most times an actual tree has to be planted, in order to get one. That is why so many people have to buy the tree, rather than starting one from seeds, which do not readily germinate.
Mimosa seeds can be readily cultivated….just let the pods dry a bit, then twist them and collect the seeds. Put them in the refrigerator over the winter, plant in about late Feb or early march…2 to a tiny cup that you have holes in the bottom for drainage. Sunrooms are fantastic, or a patio that is hot and humid. Keep moist…in a couple of weeks…you will have many.
Haha you should see my friends yard here in Virginia she’s constantly fighting them off, it’s spreading and making more trees all the time…
Just got a momosa silk plant and it arrived shrevel up and the leaves are semi dried out. The root were still moist. Am i waosting my time putting on a pot and watering it?
Will a wimps tree grow north of Kansas City area
My neighbor grew one in Platte City. She planted it as a tiny sapling, and it grew very quickly to a good-sized tree.
I have one I can’t kill. I live in Newport Rhode Island, and for 18 years I’ve cut it down every year and next year it comes up again! Reason: it sprouted under my cement stairs and I’m not a fan of fertilizer or weed killers.
Drill holes in the cut trunk and insert fungal spores and any carbohydrate. Leave some saw dust in the holes as well, seal them with a wax or anything really. The trunk will rot away within a year.
So this sounds intriguing, but you made it sound like everyone just has ‘fungal spores’ in their back pocket or lying around at the back of their refrigerator.
Where, might I ask, could a person procure such an ingredient?
where do i buy fungus spores and carbohydrates and will it kill only mimosa or all trees?
I bought a mimosa tree last year at a nursery. Did great, bloomed out . So far this year it has a couple sprouts coming out on the truck, but nothing on top branches. It has growth coming up from bottom. Should I cut those off, are they sucking nutriants from rest of tree? I live in Texas, warm temps already .
That happened to me two years ago started to bloom then suddenly died started sprouting from the bottom and then the sprouts died also. a tree half a mile away I noticed also was complexly dead. I can only assume this is mimosa wilt worse then I first thought poison. Look up mimosa wilt Sounds awful and I have three others I’m afraid will die. I love these tree’s , grown all from seed, and have had complete strangers stopping to talk to me about them. There rare here in Rhode Island I only know of less then a dozen! What a shame. They say it has only reached as high as NJ!
I don’t think so…. It’s here in RI I really hope I’m wrong
I have one here in south western Ontario Canada
If the top.of.your tree.looks healthy and is green/blooming, it’s fine. Rub or cut the ground growth or sprouts in the main trunk until you are new growth in the top and tips of the tree. When that happens, you may want to let a few of the new benches at the bottom grow, picking a nice form as this tree is beautiful with a few trunks to create interest.
I have not, thankfully, dealt with the feared wilt … I hope you don’t have this!!!
Can I prune my mimosa tree on a regular basis to stop it getting too big. I would like to keep it about 10 feet tall and 6 or 7 feet across. When is the best time to do this, in January or February when I do most of my other trees? I bought the tree last year and it grew well but I have just had to move it away from the power lines going into my house.
Sorry, I should have put that I live in the Southwest corner of BC, Canada.
I would like to grow a mimosa tree from seeds. But, I clipped a branch just now (it’s June 2nd) and the seed pods are still green. Do I have to wait until autumn and pick dried seed pods to use the seeds? Or can I dry these seeds out now? I can always use the branch itself that I clipped as it is 6-8 inches high and just forget about growing from seeds. Please help – I LOVE these trees <3
I have so far 3 little plants of Mimosa tree growing in my large pot which is also full of marigolds. I planted all seeds in March (Northern Virginia zone). I wasn’t sure if any of them will survive as I was trying to regrow plants from mother’s seeds for first time.
Now (late June) they are all in a “jungle” mode, nursing every sunlight and rain they get. I’m so happy to see all of them grow.
I LOVE Mimosa tree! The scent they release – it’s so enjoyable. No wonder all frying creatures are attracted!
My question is, when is the right time to plant them to the ground from pot?
Also, are they a good trees to plant along the fence of backyard?
I live near St
Louis, MO. We have lots of Mimosa trees growing along the highways. It’s July 12. Can I cut a blooming branch and plant it in my yard? If so, how do I go about doing so?
I was just given a small mimosa seedling to plant. since it is August tomorrow, what is the best way to plant it so it takes root and lives through the winter? Thank you
I planted a mimosa in a pot.It is now about two ft tall.Want to overwinter it.Should I bring it in or put it under the deck for some shelter from possible harsh winter or leave it on the deck??
I have a mimosa also in a pot. This was a 5” seedling growing by my front bushes last spring. I stuck it in a pot in the sun. It grew about 12” last year and this year its 36” easy. I left it out all winter, no shelter and it did fine. It will lose everything but if it’s branches are still limber, it’s fine. Not sure what to do with it. Wanna keep it short by pruning. Oklahoma.
I have Mimosa’s in my back yard, always new ones growing around the edges.
if I pot one and bring it in the house with indirect sunlight. Will it drop its leaves in the winter or can it be kept as a house plant?
My young Mimosa tree does not have a nice shape, seems to be growing branches on only one side and trunk is not very big, it is about two years old, grown from seed of older tree. Now about six feet tall. Would topping it help promote a better shape?
I also have a seedling that is about 18 inches tall plus four more that are in small pots and about 6 8nches tall. I live in north Texas and want to know if I need to bring them indoors over the winter. I have very bright southern windows I can set them by. I’m afraid the little ones won’t survive the cold temps or ice storms we have here sometimes.
I used to have 3 LARGE mimosas that were so fragrant & beautiful! Bees, butterflies and hummingbirds loved them just as much ……..sadly they all died due to a disease. I sure miss them!
It is very responsible of you to promote growing and invasive species. There are plenty of native plants and non-invasive exotic plants from which to choose. Please review your policy and which types of plants you promote.
With all that’s going on in the world, our Native plants are succumbing to pollution & acid rain.
In New England, over the past decade, at least 50%+ of maple trees diseased, dead, or dying. So many native plants are taking a hit these days.
An Acre full of EMPRESS tree labeled “invasive” can absorb the most CO2 than any other plant on the earth. 1 acre is equivalent to taking 50 cars off the road for a FULL YEAR. They also Absorb heavy metals in the soil. These trees may also be used for timber and can be Cut to the ground each year. I’d rather still have an invasive plant that’s Beneficial to Pollinators & for producing Oxygen, than have an empty space of concrete.
Some “invasive” labeled trees won’t be invasive in certain states, but not in all.
And now a days, we have the knowledge to make hybrids to prevent the invasiveness of certain plants.
And sometimes we need invasive plants to be used as “Buffers”. Living in the city, I plant them by pollution susceptible plants, and it helps mitigate damage by pollutants.
If everyone planted a few empress trees in the yard and just chopped them to ground every year, We’d be able to start reducing carbon in our atmosphere.
But I highly doubt we will get there because everything has become political & I feel trying to use plants as natural filters on this planet is unsustainable because of close minded people, whom are lacking in common sense.
Especially after YEARS of research & information gained by observing these trees. And research found via local library, college campuses, and org & edu websites.