Some accounts say mimosa trees were introduced to the United States by French Botanist Andre Michaux in 1787. From his nursery in Charleston, South Carolina, Michaux shipped North American plants to France and imported species from around the world. Michaux brought mimosa seeds back to his nursery from Persia. However, the mimosa tree is native to central China, Japan, and southern Korea. Unlike the favored cocktail drink, the vigorous growing mimosa (Albizia julibrissin) is an ecological threat to native species.
After gaining fame as an ornamental plant in 1807, this silk tree quickly overran and choked out native plants and prevented the regeneration of native species. Two hundred years later, mimosa is found across the United States and is a fixture of the Southern landscape. Its double compound leaves, with many leaflets, almost resemble a fern or honey locust. In the summer, the mimosa blooms, revealing the distinctive silky pom-pom-like pink flowers that are omnipresent, rippling in the breeze.
The small tree can reach up to 40 feet and is found in disturbed soils along roadsides, forest edges, vacant lots, and riparian zones. It flowers abundantly in full sun and well-drained soils, although it does tolerate partial shade, drought, wind, and salt. Despite its beauty, mimosa is an invasive species that proliferates in many soil types. It multiplies much quicker than native plants, thereby inhibiting their growth with shade from its umbrella-like crown. It is a prolific spreader, producing long brown seed pods which prevail throughout winter. As a member of the Fabaceae family, mimosa is a legume and can fix nitrogen. While this is favorable for the mimosa, its leaf litter creates an excess of nitrogen, inhibiting the growth of native plant species, some of which provide a food source for animals.
Mimosa is a prolific seed disperser. Each flower creates a seed pod of up to 12 seeds that can remain viable for years. Like most weeds, your best bet at controlling mimosa seedlings is to catch them in their earliest stage. Saplings will often sprout around the parent plant in the early summer. Mimosa also spreads by suckering and will quickly resprout if cut. Still, seeds can disperse over long distances if near running water.
Additionally, the seeds contain a toxin that can harm animals when ingested. Small plants can be easily pulled, especially after a rain while the soil is still moist and will quickly release the sprout. When it comes to an established tree, the U.S. Forest Service recommends cutting it down as an initial control measure. Applying an herbicide to a freshly cut mimosa stump is the only way to kill the tree and prevent it from resprouting. When herbicide use is impracticable, girdling can be effective on more giant trees.
Like kudzu, mimosa is a staple ingredient in Traditional Chinese medicine. Its earliest use was as an antidepressant in 200 AD. The flower was dried and used in tea to “harmonize the heart and will and make one happy and worry-free.” I made the tea by following the ancient traditional Chinese medicine method. While the tea does not taste appealing, it’s remarkable to note that the traditional medicinal use of mimosa persists in its native range. The bark from the tree functioned as an analgesic in healing bruises and fractured bones. Thankfully, mimosa is a short-lived plant as it is highly susceptible to fusarium wilt and has fragile wood.
Fighting invasives by eating them is a fun countermeasure with sometimes tasty benefits. At the very least, you can enjoy some gastronomic experiences that could help curb invasives like mimosa trees. If you’re so inspired, you can make a simple tea from the tussle of flowers, a recipe inspired by ancient Chinese medicine. The pink flowers can be picked and steeped in hot water for tea accentuating the flower’s sweet gardenia and citrusy smell. You can also use the flowers to place on top of cocktails and cakes as a bright decorative pink pom-pom. Picking the flowers is necessary for preventing seed production, as the seeds are prolific and remain viable for 5-10 years. Find a TLC Nature Preserve Near You
The elegantly weeping mimosa tree Albizia julibrissin, is prized for its frothy pink flowers and delicate foliage. However its aggressive spreading roots and abundant seed pods make mimosa an invasive plant in many areas. For those seeking the aesthetic of mimosa without the headaches many exquisite alternatives exist. Here are some of the top plants that offer the look of mimosa trees but are better garden citizens.
Why Seek Mimosa Alternatives
While uniquely beautiful, the introduced mimosa tree has some drawbacks that lead many gardeners to seek substitute plants, including:
- Invasive roots that spread aggressively and lift pavements
- Dense shade that smothers and outcompetes other plants
- Abundant seed pods that rapidly colonize an area
- Fragile wood that is prone to breakage in storms
- Short lifespan of just 10-20 years typically
For a stunning but more well-behaved specimen, consider one of these graceful plants that evoke the delicate beauty of mimosa.
Sweet Acacia
Sweet acacia (Acacia farnesiana) is a small, vase-shaped tree that resembles mimosa, but is far less problematic. It features:
- Fern-like, bipinnate foliage
- Fragrant, yellow puffball flowers in spring
- Thornless stems and no invasive roots
- Good drought and heat tolerance
- Height and width of 15-25 feet
Sweet acacia makes a graceful patio or street tree in zone 7-11. It also works well in mixed borders and cottage gardens. Just beware of its thorns when young.
Powderpuff Mimosa
Despite its common name, this perennial native plant is not at all related to true mimosas. Powderpuff mimosa (Mimosa strigillosa) offers:
- Fine-textured, ferny foliage
- Pink round powderpuff flowers in summer
- Good heat and drought tolerance
- Pollinator-friendly blooms
- Modest size of 2 feet tall and 3 feet wide
Use powderpuff mimosa as a pretty groundcover or border plant in warm climates It needs sharp drainage and does best in full sun
Bottlebrush
Bottlebrush shrubs produce eye-catching spikes of vibrant flowers beloved by hummingbirds. Their long, slim leaves bear similarity to mimosa foliage. Try:
- Lemon bottlebrush (Callistemon citrinus): Grows 10 feet tall with bright red blooms and citrusy scent.
- Weeping bottlebrush (Callistemon viminalis): Features gracefully cascading stems and vivid red flowers.
Grow bottlebrushes in zones 8-11 as stand-alone specimens or hedges. Give them room as most varieties reach 6-15 feet wide.
Dwarf Powderpuff
For a compact bottlebrush lookalike, turn to the dwarf powderpuff (Calliandra spp.). These tropical shrubs stay under 5 feet tall and offer:
- Feathery, mimosa-like leaves
- Round powderpuff blooms in shades of red, pink, white, or purple
- Attractive seed pods after flowers fade
- Hummingbird appeal
Site dwarf powderpuff in full sun to light shade with well-drained soil. It makes a nice foundation plant for zone 9-11 gardens.
Flamevine
Another tropical mimosa doppelganger is flamevine (Pyrostegia venusta). It boasts:
- Delicate, lacy leaves resembling finely cut mimosa foliage
- Brilliant clusters of orange-red tubular flowers in late summer
- Vigorous climbing vines up to 25 feet long
- Suitable as a seasonal Annual in cooler zones
For a bold mimosa statement, let flamevine scramble over fences and arbors in zone 9-11. It needs a strong support structure and frequent watering.
Alternate-Leaf Mimosa
Finally, consider the non-invasive alternate-leaf mimosa tree (Albizia julibrissin ‘Summer Chocolate’). It offers the grace of a mimosa but with:
- Less aggressive roots and reduced seed spread
- Chocolate-purple foliage for unique color
- Pink powderpuff blooms
- Mature height around 20-30 feet
Use as a patio tree or specimen plant. Provide ample space for the wide canopy and long roots.
Finding the Right Mimosa Lookalike
Mimosa might be too problematic to plant in your landscape, but fortunately many exquisite plant alternatives exist. Choose a species suited to your climate and site conditions for years of delicate, mimosa-like elegance. Always select non-invasive varieties and remove seed heads before they spread. With the right plant, you can enjoy the beauty of mimosa without the headaches.
Improving Our Lives Through Conservation
Some accounts say mimosa trees were introduced to the United States by French Botanist Andre Michaux in 1787. From his nursery in Charleston, South Carolina, Michaux shipped North American plants to France and imported species from around the world. Michaux brought mimosa seeds back to his nursery from Persia. However, the mimosa tree is native to central China, Japan, and southern Korea. Unlike the favored cocktail drink, the vigorous growing mimosa (Albizia julibrissin) is an ecological threat to native species.
After gaining fame as an ornamental plant in 1807, this silk tree quickly overran and choked out native plants and prevented the regeneration of native species. Two hundred years later, mimosa is found across the United States and is a fixture of the Southern landscape. Its double compound leaves, with many leaflets, almost resemble a fern or honey locust. In the summer, the mimosa blooms, revealing the distinctive silky pom-pom-like pink flowers that are omnipresent, rippling in the breeze.
The small tree can reach up to 40 feet and is found in disturbed soils along roadsides, forest edges, vacant lots, and riparian zones. It flowers abundantly in full sun and well-drained soils, although it does tolerate partial shade, drought, wind, and salt. Despite its beauty, mimosa is an invasive species that proliferates in many soil types. It multiplies much quicker than native plants, thereby inhibiting their growth with shade from its umbrella-like crown. It is a prolific spreader, producing long brown seed pods which prevail throughout winter. As a member of the Fabaceae family, mimosa is a legume and can fix nitrogen. While this is favorable for the mimosa, its leaf litter creates an excess of nitrogen, inhibiting the growth of native plant species, some of which provide a food source for animals.
Mimosa is a prolific seed disperser. Each flower creates a seed pod of up to 12 seeds that can remain viable for years. Like most weeds, your best bet at controlling mimosa seedlings is to catch them in their earliest stage. Saplings will often sprout around the parent plant in the early summer. Mimosa also spreads by suckering and will quickly resprout if cut. Still, seeds can disperse over long distances if near running water.
Additionally, the seeds contain a toxin that can harm animals when ingested. Small plants can be easily pulled, especially after a rain while the soil is still moist and will quickly release the sprout. When it comes to an established tree, the U.S. Forest Service recommends cutting it down as an initial control measure. Applying an herbicide to a freshly cut mimosa stump is the only way to kill the tree and prevent it from resprouting. When herbicide use is impracticable, girdling can be effective on more giant trees.
Like kudzu, mimosa is a staple ingredient in Traditional Chinese medicine. Its earliest use was as an antidepressant in 200 AD. The flower was dried and used in tea to “harmonize the heart and will and make one happy and worry-free.” I made the tea by following the ancient traditional Chinese medicine method. While the tea does not taste appealing, it’s remarkable to note that the traditional medicinal use of mimosa persists in its native range. The bark from the tree functioned as an analgesic in healing bruises and fractured bones. Thankfully, mimosa is a short-lived plant as it is highly susceptible to fusarium wilt and has fragile wood.
If you can’t beat them, eat them!
Fighting invasives by eating them is a fun countermeasure with sometimes tasty benefits. At the very least, you can enjoy some gastronomic experiences that could help curb invasives like mimosa trees. If you’re so inspired, you can make a simple tea from the tussle of flowers, a recipe inspired by ancient Chinese medicine. The pink flowers can be picked and steeped in hot water for tea accentuating the flower’s sweet gardenia and citrusy smell. You can also use the flowers to place on top of cocktails and cakes as a bright decorative pink pom-pom. Picking the flowers is necessary for preventing seed production, as the seeds are prolific and remain viable for 5-10 years. Find a TLC Nature Preserve Near You
Types of Mimosa Trees
FAQ
What to plant instead of Mimosa?
… plant instead of a mimosa tree include red buckeye (although its seeds are also reportedly poisonous to humans), redbud, pink dogwood, or American fringetreeJun 3, 2024
What plants are similar to Mimosa pudica?
Similar species
Mimosa pudica is similar to Mimosa pigra (giant sensitive plant) and creeping sensitive plant (Mimosa diplotricha var. diplotricha), which both also produce pink globular flower clusters and have prickles.
Is touch me not plant poisonous?
The tannin present in the plant can be toxic if ingested in high doses.Mar 8, 2022
What are the names of a mimosa tree?
First, let’s discuss the many names of this complicated tree. The Albizia julibrissin is the genus name of the mimosa tree and belongs to the Fabaceae family. It is called the Chinese silk tree, pink silk tree, Lenkoran tree, and Persian silk tree. Mimosa trees are fast-growing flowering that may grow up to fifty-two feet.
What does a mimosa tree look like?
The leaves of this tree tend to be white or pink and are bunched together, blooming with spherical heads, while its twigs are hairy and armed with spines. In addition, the seed pods feature recurved prickles. 2. Mimosa diplotricha Vinayaraj Mimosa diplotricha.
Are mimosa leaves prickly?
Mimosa rubicaulis Sajan Subedi Mimosa Rubicaulis. The leaves of this variety of Mimosa tree are bipinnately compounded, with the leaves identifiable by having eight to twelve pairs of pinnae, while other varieties such as Mimosa pudica have two pairs of leaflets that are prickly.
When does a mimosa tree bloom?
The plant is found across the Indian subcontinent. This variety of Mimosa tree is typically in bloom from June to September, boasting beautiful pink flowers that fade to white as the months drag on. This can create luscious speckling of pink and white in Mimosa pudica trees that is absolutely gorgeous.
What is a mimosa tree used for?
Mimosa trees create a warm and shaded area at the front of properties or in a yard. The foliage of Mimosa is unlike any other tree due to the shape of its leaves. They create a light-filtering effect and filter light on shaded areas. Therefore, it is popularly used as a patio or terrace tree for the shade.
Where do mimosa trees grow?
The flowerheads for the Mimosa quadrivalvis are pink clusters that feature prickly fruits, with flowering happening from May to September. The habitat for this variant of mimosa trees is relatively various. You can find specimens everywhere from open woods and glades to thickets and prairies to right on the roadside. 7. Mimosa rubicaulis