Green Wattle Plant Care

Green Wattle (Mimosa decurrens) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Mimosa genus. Green Wattle is native to New South Wales, Australia. Green Wattle is also known as Acacia adenophora, Acacia angulata, Acacia decurrens.

Green Wattle displays a fast-growing spreading shrub growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 8 ft. Green Wattle produces puffball-like clusters of pink, white, or purple flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Green Wattle every 4–7 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.

Green Wattle thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Mimosa decurrens tolerates temperatures of 65–85°F. Green Wattle prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

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

Feed Green Wattle 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.

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

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.

Green Wattle is suited to USDA Zone 9a – 11b.

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.

Green Wattle can spread to about 8 ft (2.4 m) and reach about 6 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 8 ft (2.4 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 Green 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.

Green Wattle is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 9). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Green Wattle can be propagated through seeds, root cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to devil's claw plant care, which shares the same genus.

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Green Wattle is susceptible to spider mites, caterpillars, leafhoppers. 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.

Green Wattle grows outdoors in USDA Zone 9a – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 9a. Green Wattle is native to New South Wales, Australia. In cooler regions, grow Green Wattle as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.