What is Sweet Acacia?

The sweet acacia is a kind of small deciduous tree that can also be grown as a large shrub. It requires very little water and a lot of sun, making it easy to grow in the desert, though it is not quite as low maintenance as most other garden plants in hot areas. The blooms are bright yellow balls that emit a sweet odor, typically attracting butterflies and bees rather easily. The sweet acacia tends to bloom in the winter, spring, and summer, and does not do particularly well during cold winters. It is often seen in the southern United States, though it is thought to be native to tropical areas of the world.

Though the sweet acacia does not require much water, it does need a few deep soakings throughout the year, especially in the summer. It needs to have access to both full sun and adequate drainage, and fertilizer should be added to the soil about once per month. The sweet acacia must be pruned frequently to keep its shape, especially since it is known for growing moderately fast. Additionally, it should be known that this tree drops its long spines and seed pods often, so it can create a mess in the surrounding area. Therefore, this tree is not recommended for those who desire garden plants that are low maintenance.

This type of tree is known for being moderately small, as it grows up to about 30 feet (9.1 m) tall, and about 20 feet (6.1 m) wide. For this reason, it can also be cultivated as a shrub rather than a tree. It does contain sharp thorns, so caution should be exercised when handling this tree's branches. Despite the thorns, many people find the sweet flowers attractive enough to plant this tree in their yard, and they may even use the blooms as air fresheners in their home.

Most trees and shrubs of this type can be found in warmer climates, such as the southern United States or northwestern Mexico, but the sweet acacia can usually tolerate some cold weather. It tends to lose its flowers when it gets to below freezing temperatures, but it can often sprout from the roots even after being frozen. Unlike many other trees that prefer full sun, the sweet acacia can bloom even during the fall or winter, which makes it a nice tree to have around during the fall and winter holidays. Of course, the yellow flowers also blossom in the spring and summer.