What hardiness zones is Albizia julibrissin suitable for?

Albizia julibrissin is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 6, 7, 8, 9.

What are the sun requirements for Albizia julibrissin?

Albizia julibrissin requires Full Sun.

How much water does Albizia julibrissin need?

Albizia julibrissin has Low water needs.

Broadleaf Deciduous Trees

Albizia julibrissin

silk tree

Fabaceae

Iran and Caucasus east to China, Korea, and Japan

At a Glance

TypeTree

HabitSpreading

FoliageDeciduous

Height20-40 feet (6-12 m)

Width20-40 feet (6-12 m)

Maturity8 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

6 - 9

Zone 6

Zone 7

Zone 8

Zone 9

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators

Attracts Butterflies

Attracts Hummingbirds

Drought Tolerant

Fragrant (light)

Maintenancemoderate

Overview

Albizia julibrissin is a deciduous tree reaching 20–40 feet (6–12 m) tall and 20–40 feet (6–12 m) wide, with a broad, flat-topped to umbrella-shaped crown and wide-spreading horizontal branches. Leaves are bipinnately compound, 12–20 inches (30–50 cm) long with many small leaflets 0.25–0.5 inch (6–12 mm) long; the fine texture creates a feathery, fern-like appearance. Leaves fold together at night and in overcast weather (nyctinastic movement). In June through September, silky pink flowers with prominent stamens 1.5–2 inches (4–5 cm) long appear in round, puffball-like clusters at branch tips — the primary ornamental feature. Flat brown seed pods 4–6 inches (10–15 cm) long ripen in fall and persist through winter. Seeds germinate prolifically on disturbed soil. Growth rate is fast, 3–5 feet (90–150 cm) per year in youth. The tree is short-lived, typically 20–30 years; trunks are susceptible to Fusarium wilt (mimosa wilt), which causes sudden decline and death — a serious limitation in PNW conditions where the fungus persists in soil. All parts of the plant are toxic to horses; pets are potentially at risk as well. The tree seeds heavily and has naturalized in disturbed areas in eastern Washington and Oregon; it is invasive in the southeastern United States.

Native Range

Native to a broad range from Iran and the Caucasus east through central Asia to China, Korea, and Japan. Found in open woodlands, forest margins, and disturbed ground at low to moderate elevations.

Suggested Uses

Planted as a fast-growing specimen or shade tree in dry, warm inland sites in the Pacific Northwest. The extended summer bloom period and fine-textured foliage are ornamental assets. Short lifespan, Fusarium wilt susceptibility, heavy seed production, and toxicity to horses limit its suitability; disease-resistant cultivars are preferred where available. Not recommended near horse pastures or in regions where it has been noted as invasive. Consult local extension guidelines before planting in eastern Washington or Oregon.

How to Identify

Identified by bipinnately compound leaves with many tiny leaflets, giving the foliage a feathery fern-like texture — leaves fold together at night or on overcast days. Silky pink puffball flower clusters with prominent stamens appear June through September at branch tips. The broad, flat-topped crown with wide-spreading horizontal branches is distinctive. Flat brown seed pods 4–6 inches (10–15 cm) long persist through winter. Bark is smooth, gray-green to gray-brown with prominent lenticels.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height20' - 40'

Width/Spread20' - 40'

Reaches mature size in approximately 8 years

Colors

Flower Colors

pink

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~10 weeks

SummerFall

Blooms June through September, with round clusters of pink flowers — the conspicuous feature being the numerous long pink stamens 1.5–2 inches (4–5 cm) that form the puffball effect. Individual flower clusters last several days; new clusters appear continuously over 8–12 weeks. Flat brown seed pods ripen September through October and persist on the tree through winter.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

pink

Foliage Description

medium green, fine-textured; yellow in fall

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Requires 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loamclaysandsilt

Drainage

well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

5-10 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Establish with moderate watering for the first 1–2 growing seasons; once established, the tree tolerates drought and adapts to a wide range of soil types including poor, dry, and compacted soils. Full sun is required for best flowering. The primary limitation is Fusarium wilt (mimosa wilt, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. perniciosum), which causes sudden wilting, branch dieback, and death — there is no cure; remove affected trees and do not replant Albizia or other susceptible species in the same soil for several years. Seed pods and fallen leaves create significant litter; locate away from paving and pools. Remove fallen pods promptly in areas accessible to horses or pets due to toxicity risk. Monitor surrounding areas for seedling establishment.

Pruning

Prune during dormancy (November through February) or after the main bloom period (September through October). Remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches. The tree develops a natural flat-topped umbrella form that requires minimal corrective pruning; removing lower limbs raises the canopy for clearance beneath. Young trees may need early structural pruning to develop a clear trunk. Avoid large corrective cuts on mature trees, which introduce Fusarium wilt entry points.

Pruning Schedule

winter

Maintenance Level

moderate

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Toxic to pets