Acacia guantanamensis Plant Care

Chloroleucon guantanamense (Britton) Britton & Rose

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

This plant is easily recognized by its unique bipinnate leaves with small, oval leaflets. Originating from Cuba, Chloroleucon guantanamense is highly sought after by plant collectors for its ability to attract pollinators with its fragrant flowers and its beautiful, ornamental appearance in garden landscapes.

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Water

Every 7–14 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

50–90°F

Humidity

40–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Acacia guantanamensis?

Plant Acacia guantanamensis in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 10b–12b) 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 6 months during the growing season.

What Is the Acacia guantanamensis?

Acacia guantanamensis (Chloroleucon guantanamense) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Chloroleucon genus. Acacia guantanamensis is native to Cuba. Acacia guantanamensis is also known as Albizia guantanamensis.

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

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Acacia guantanamensis?

Water a young or newly planted Acacia guantanamensis 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 Acacia guantanamensis Need?

Acacia guantanamensis thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Acacia guantanamensis Prefer?

Chloroleucon guantanamense tolerates temperatures of 50–90°F. Acacia guantanamensis prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

50–90°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Acacia guantanamensis?

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Acacia guantanamensis to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Acacia guantanamensis?

Feed Acacia guantanamensis every 6 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 6 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 Acacia guantanamensis?

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Acacia guantanamensis is suited to USDA Zone 10b – 12b.

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 Acacia guantanamensis?

Acacia guantanamensis 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 Acacia guantanamensis?

Prune Acacia guantanamensis 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 Acacia guantanamensis in Winter?

Acacia guantanamensis is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 10). 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 Acacia guantanamensis?

Acacia guantanamensis can be propagated through seeds, cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to pithecellobium foliolosum plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Acacia guantanamensis Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Acacia guantanamensis, 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 Acacia guantanamensis?

Acacia guantanamensis is susceptible to aphids, leaf miners, scale insects. 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 Acacia guantanamensis Need?

Acacia guantanamensis grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10b – 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10b. Acacia guantanamensis is native to Cuba. In cooler regions, grow Acacia guantanamensis as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 10b – 12b

Keep exploring plants

Acacia guantanamensis 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 Chloroleucon genus — compare its care with other Chloroleucon species on PlantoScan.

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

Acacia guantanamensis thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Chloroleucon Species

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

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Chloroleucon guantanamense (Britton) Britton & Rose, family Fabaceae (first published in N. Amer. Fl. 23: 38 (1928)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Acacia guantanamensis, 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 10b – 12b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
  • 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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