Four-winged Wattle Plant Care

Four-winged Wattle (Acacia tetraptera) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Acacia genus. Four-winged Wattle is native to an area in the southern Wheatbelt and Goldfields-Esperance regions of Western Australia.

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

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Four-winged 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.

Four-winged Wattle thrives in full sun.

Acacia tetraptera tolerates temperatures of 50–90°F. Four-winged Wattle prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

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

Feed Four-winged 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.

Four-winged Wattle 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.

Four-winged 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 Four-winged 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.

Four-winged Wattle 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.

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

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Four-winged 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.

Four-winged Wattle grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Four-winged Wattle is native to an area in the southern Wheatbelt and Goldfields-Esperance regions of Western Australia. In cooler regions, grow Four-winged Wattle as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.