Georgina Poison Bush Plant Care

Acacia georginae Bailey

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Acacia georginae, commonly known as Georgina gidgee, Georgina gidyea or poison gidyea, is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae and is endemic to arid areas of Central Australia. It is a foul-smelling, gnarled or spreading tree with a dense crown, narrowly elliptic phyllodes, spherical heads of golden yellow flowers and curved to coiled, papery pods.

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Water

Every 7–14 days

Light

Full sun

Temp

50–90°F

Humidity

40–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Georgina Poison Bush?

Plant Georgina Poison Bush in full sun (USDA zones 12a) and water a young tree every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–90°F (10–32°C). Fertilize it every 8 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Georgina Poison Bush Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Georgina Poison Bush?

Georgina Poison Bush (Acacia georginae) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Acacia genus. Georgina Poison Bush is native to arid areas of Central Australia. Georgina Poison Bush is also known as Poison Walnut.

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

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Georgina Poison Bush?

Water a young or newly planted Georgina Poison Bush 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.

Watering Frequency

Every 7–14 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Georgina Poison Bush Need?

Georgina Poison Bush thrives in full sun.

Light Requirement

Full sun

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Georgina Poison Bush Prefer?

Acacia georginae tolerates temperatures of 50–90°F. Georgina Poison Bush prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

50–90°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Georgina Poison Bush?

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

How Often Should You Fertilize a Georgina Poison Bush?

Feed Georgina Poison Bush 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.

Fertilizing

Every 8 months

During the growing season

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

Where Should You Plant a Georgina Poison Bush?

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

Georgina Poison Bush is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

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.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Georgina Poison Bush?

Georgina Poison Bush 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.

How Do You Prune a Georgina Poison Bush?

Prune Georgina Poison Bush 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.

How Do You Care for a Georgina Poison Bush in Winter?

Georgina Poison Bush is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

How Do You Propagate a Georgina Poison Bush?

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

Is the Georgina Poison Bush Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Georgina Poison Bush, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.

This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.

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

What Pests and Diseases Affect the Georgina Poison Bush?

Georgina Poison Bush 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.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Georgina Poison Bush Need?

Georgina Poison Bush grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Georgina Poison Bush is native to arid areas of Central Australia. In cooler regions, grow Georgina Poison Bush as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Georgina Poison Bush is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.

It belongs to the Acacia genus — compare its care with other Acacia species on PlantoScan.

Acacia is part of the Fabaceae plant family — browse all Fabaceae genera and species.

Georgina Poison Bush thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Acacia Species

Other Acacia species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Acacia georginae Bailey, family Fabaceae — World Flora Online record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Georgina Poison Bush, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
  • Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.

Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.

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