Alpine Wattle Plant Care

Alpine Wattle (Acacia alpina) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Acacia genus. Alpine Wattle is native to alpine and subalpine regions of south-eastern continental Australia. Alpine Wattle is also known as Mountain Hickory.

Alpine Wattle displays a tall, spreading tree growth habit, reaching up to 30 ft tall with a spread of approximately 20 ft. Alpine Wattle produces clusters of small yellow or white flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Alpine Wattle every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Alpine Wattle thrives in full sun.

Acacia alpina tolerates temperatures of 50–90°F. Alpine Wattle prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining sandy soil mix with some organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Alpine Wattle to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Alpine Wattle every 8 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun and well-draining sandy soil mix with some organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Alpine Wattle is suited to USDA Zone 7b – 9b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Alpine Wattle can spread to about 20 ft (6.1 m) and reach about 30 ft (9 m) tall. Space plants about 20 ft (6.1 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Alpine Wattle while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Alpine Wattle is hardy down to USDA zone 7b, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown trees need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Alpine Wattle can be propagated through seeds, cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to gold dust wattle plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Alpine Wattle is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, caterpillars. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Alpine Wattle grows outdoors in USDA Zone 7b – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 7b. Alpine Wattle is native to alpine and subalpine regions of south-eastern continental Australia.