Willow Acacia
Acacia salicina
A narrow, upright tree with fragrant cream puffball flowers and graceful willow-like foliage, perfect for tight screening spaces.
Hardy to about 15-18°F in low and mid desert; frost-sensitive when young.
AMWUA Notes
Low water use; can be short-lived if overwatered or left unpruned.
Care Guide
Deep-soak weekly through the first year, then every 2-3 weeks in summer once established.
Prune young trees to a single strong leader and thin the canopy to reduce wind resistance in the brittle wood; work in late winter.
No fertilizer needed; a nitrogen-fixing legume.
Few pest problems.
Fragrant cream puffball flowers in spring; evergreen willow-like foliage with seasonal pod drop.
Soil, Feeding & Propagation
Well-draining native or decomposed-granite soil; tolerates caliche, rocky ground, and alkaline pH 7.5–8.5
Needs well-drained soil.
None — thrives in lean desert soil without fertilizer.
Grown from scarified seed; establishes quickly from nursery stock
12–15 ft
Deep roots are non-aggressive, but keep 10–12 ft from structures; brittle wood needs staking
Placement Tips
- •Narrow upright form (about 15 ft wide) is ideal for tight screening, side yards, and against blank walls.
- •Weak-wooded and brittle; stake young trees and prune early for strong structure, keeping 10-12 ft from buildings.
- •Plant in a row 12-15 ft apart for a fast, fragrant privacy screen.
- •Full sun; sheds seed pods, so keep back from pool skimmers.
Features
Best Uses
Companion Plants
Quick Stats
Design Styles
Include in Your Project
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Use this care guide to maintain your Willow Acacia. Questions about your landscape? Reach out anytime.
Data from 2024 AMWUA “Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert” guide.
Willow Acacia — common questions
Answers for low-desert Phoenix conditions, drawn from this plant’s growing data.
How much water does Willow Acacia need in Phoenix?
Willow Acacia is a low-water tree once established. Deep-soak weekly through the first year, then every 2-3 weeks in summer once established. Low water use; can be short-lived if overwatered or left unpruned.
How big does Willow Acacia get?
Expect roughly 30 ft tall and 15 ft wide at maturity, with a fast growth rate. Allow about 12–15 ft of spacing when planting. Deep roots are non-aggressive, but keep 10–12 ft from structures; brittle wood needs staking.
Can you plant Willow Acacia near a pool?
Yes. Willow Acacia is considered pool-friendly, meaning it stays clean enough around water features and hardscape. Litter is rated moderate.
Can Willow Acacia handle Arizona heat and winter frost?
Willow Acacia is hardy in USDA 9-11 and wants full sun. Hardy to about 15-18°F in low and mid desert; frost-sensitive when young. Fragrant cream puffball flowers in spring; evergreen willow-like foliage with seasonal pod drop.
Does Willow Acacia have thorns?
No. Willow Acacia is thornless, so it is safe alongside walkways, patios and play areas.
Is Willow Acacia safe around pets?
Willow Acacia is listed as pet-friendly in this guide. If your dog is a determined chewer, check any new plant with your vet before planting.
When does Willow Acacia bloom in Arizona?
Willow Acacia blooms in spring, with cream flowers. The flowers are fragrant.
How much maintenance does Willow Acacia need?
Willow Acacia is moderate-maintenance. Leaf, flower and pod litter is rated moderate. Prune young trees to a single strong leader and thin the canopy to reduce wind resistance in the brittle wood; work in late winter.
What kind of soil does Willow Acacia need?
Well-draining native or decomposed-granite soil; tolerates caliche, rocky ground, and alkaline pH 7.5–8.5. It needs no supplemental feeding. No fertilizer needed; a nitrogen-fixing legume.
Is Willow Acacia native to Arizona?
No. Willow Acacia is not an Arizona native; it originates from the Australia, but it is grown successfully in low-desert landscapes here.