Rose-Acacia Plant Care
Robinia hispida L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Robinia hispida, known as the bristly locust, rose-acacia, or moss locust, is a shrub in the subfamily Faboideae of the pea family Fabaceae. It is native to the southeastern United States, and it is present in other areas, including other regions of North America, as an introduced species.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun
0–100°F
30–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Rose-Acacia?
Plant Rose-Acacia in full sun and water a young tree every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 0–100°F (-18–38°C). Fertilize it every 8 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Rose-Acacia Native To?
What Is the Rose-Acacia?
Rose-Acacia (Robinia hispida) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Robinia genus. Rose-Acacia is native to the southeastern United States, and. Rose-Acacia is also known as Bristly Locust, Pink-Flowering Locust.
Rose-Acacia displays a fast-growing tree growth habit, reaching up to 30 ft tall with a spread of approximately 20 ft. Rose-Acacia produces showy clusters of fragrant white or pink flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Rose-Acacia?
Water a young or newly planted Rose-Acacia 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 Rose-Acacia Need?
Rose-Acacia thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Rose-Acacia Prefer?
Robinia hispida tolerates temperatures of 0–100°F. Rose-Acacia prefers humidity levels of 30–70%.
Temperature
0–100°F
Humidity
30–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Rose-Acacia?
Well-draining loamy soil with good fertility. Good drainage is essential for Rose-Acacia to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Rose-Acacia?
Feed Rose-Acacia 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 Rose-Acacia?
Choose a spot with full sun and well-draining loamy soil with good fertility. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
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 Rose-Acacia?
Rose-Acacia 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 Rose-Acacia?
Prune Rose-Acacia 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 Rose-Acacia in Winter?
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.
How Do You Propagate a Rose-Acacia?
Rose-Acacia can be propagated through seeds, root cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to robinia × holdtii plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Rose-Acacia Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
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 Rose-Acacia?
Rose-Acacia is susceptible to aphids, 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.
Keep exploring plants
Rose-Acacia 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 Robinia genus — compare its care with other Robinia species on PlantoScan.
Robinia is part of the Fabaceae plant family — browse all Fabaceae genera and species.
Rose-Acacia thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Robinia hispida L., family Fabaceae (first published in Mant. Pl. : 101 (1767)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Rose-Acacia is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- 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.
