Having a mimosa tree in your yard in the south is fairly common, but there are problems. That it is easy to grow and make beautiful shade fast is a plus. However, you can't overlook that the seed pod litter can be annoying.
They like full sun to part shade and will grow in real shady places. It is considered an understory or medium high tree. It can grow as wide as 20 feet but trimming keeps it in bounds. You can't beat the pretty pink flowers.
I have found that I cannot do root cuttings from this tree, but the seeds start easily and grow fast. If you feed and water regularly, you will have a blooming tree the second year. It will only be 3 to 5 feet but will set a few blooms, even in a pot. Full sun is best.
The leaves fall in autumn. This is the ideal time to prune if you wish to shape. When you trim keep in mind the mimosa has a flat-ish top and fans out on the sides, so keep the design for a good tree. This applies if you have a single trunk.
During dry times you will need to water. In the south, the older trees develop a problem sometimes in real dry weather and don't recover. Watering usually deters this.
In south Georgia, it is considered a pest by some, and a treasure by others, so you can try it. If you don't like it, then you pull it. It can be made into a multi-stemmed plant by radical trimming, and will last longer than a single trunk plant because new ones come up around the trunk. It doesn't send suckers off from the tree.
By gbk from South Georgia
Mimosa trees originated in the tropics, but grow well up through many moderate climates as well. Growing mimosa trees in New Hampshire may be difficult with the long winters, but it can be done if proper care is taken.
What do they look like when starting to grow?
By Ann from NSW, Australia
I bought and planted a mimosa tree from a mail order nursery last month. It still does not show any sprouting or growth. Should I be concerned? The plant/stick with roots is 6 feet tall and planted in full sun.
By ILYNA P.
I live in west/central PA. I planted a mimosa tree 5 years ago. It's growing great, but no blooms yet. Others in my area have mimosa trees that bloom beautifully in July. Any suggestions?
By Deb
I would like information on growing silk trees or Mimosa trees in Oklahoma. How tall, what color? Do they get large?
By Joe D.
Please be careful where you plant a mimosa tree. They grow really fast, and they attract ants like crazy!
To choose the right tree, you have to be careful to use its proper name as mimosa is also the common name of another beautiful tree. A true mimosa does not survive temperatures as low as 23 degrees F.
Can I plant a new tiny mimosa near a 15yr old mimosa that is getting sparse, but is still beautiful? I thought they would look nice near each other.
I have tiny mamosa tree up against my house. I want to transplant it to another location. How do I go about doing that?
When can I harvest my chocolate mimosa pods? I figured that if you can shake the pod and hear the seeds rattle it's OK to pick. When opened the pods have seeds of various colors and sizes due to some of them not drying out completely yet. They range from small and almost black and then from brown to green as they get larger. Will these seed's mature while being stored or should I wait on harvesting them until all the seed's are small and black? Thank you.
Editor's Note The chocolate in the name of the mimosa plant is describing the color. These seeds are toxic and should not be consumed under any circumstances.
I have a sprouting tree from an already dead mimosa coming up from the roots. I've been told it died because the mimosa must be cross-polinated. Should I plant another tree nearby so this one will thrive? If so, how near can I plant it to the tree that is sprouting? If it does not require another tree nearby, please tell me.
I just recently was given seed pods from a mimosa tree from Texas. I live in New Jersey and I am not sure if it will survive the winters here.
I don't know which variety of mimosa these seeds are from. I do see quite a few mimosa trees around. Can you give me some advice please?I have started many mimosa plants from seeds, but after a month or so they tend to get covered in mold and die. Is this due to too much watering? I have them indoors, near a window.
By LLB
Do you have to feed a mimosa tree?
By Meria P. from Worthington, IN
A friend dug up a couple of seedlings for me and I'm wondering when would be the best time to plant them? Should I wait till the fall or will it be okay to plant them now?
By Luciana S.
Is there anything we can do for our tree? Its bark is splitting. Will this kill the tree? Thank you.
By Marian A
Mimosa trees are beautiful when they're blooming. I was thrilled when we moved here to find a huge one in our side yard.
Is it easy or difficult to plant a mimosa tree from seeds? I collected some seed pods just outside of my city (in VA) and want to plant them, but I would like some tips. Also, how do I find out if my city or area of the country prohibits or discourages propagation of mimosa trees?
Hardiness Zone: 7a
By Cheryl Crockett from Washington DC
PLEASE check with your local agriculture department before you start planting mimosa seeds! While these trees may be pretty from far away, they are a real PAIN in the clean-up department to have in your yard!
