Sweet acacia
Vachellia farnesiana · Fabaceae
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around sweet acacia and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Evergreen to semi-evergreen depending on climate
- Blooming
- February to April, highly fragrant golden yellow flowers
- Adult size
- 2 to 4 m in height and width
- Growth
- Fast in warm climates
- Hardiness
- Frost-sensitive, tolerates down to -5 °C
- Origin
- Tropical America (southern Mexico, Central and South America)
- Soil type
- Well-draining, tolerant of poor and salty soils
Care
Watering
Water regularly during the active growing season, especially in dry climates. Reduce watering in winter and for established plants. Let the soil dry slightly between waterings. In pots, ensure perfect drainage to prevent root suffocation.
Light exposure
Place the Farnese cassie in full sun, at least 6 to 8 hours per day. It tolerates intense direct heat and bright light very well. In very hot climates, light afternoon shade can be beneficial.
Pruning and training
Prune after flowering (April-May) to maintain balanced shape and encourage branching. Remove dead or misplaced branches. Moderate maintenance pruning promotes better foliage density and more generous flowering.
Fertilizer and nutrition
Apply balanced or phosphorus-rich fertilizer in spring and summer, roughly once a month. Reduce applications in autumn and winter. A well-fed plant will flower more abundantly.
Soil and planting
Prefer rich but well-draining potting mix, amended with sand or pumice if you're in a humid region. The cassie tolerates poor, sandy, and even slightly salty soils, making it ideal for coastal gardens.
Diseases and pests
Watch for spider mites and scale insects in dry climates or indoors. Powdery mildew can appear in humid, confined conditions. Ensure good air circulation and clean the foliage regularly to prevent these issues.
Did you know?
The Farnese cassie has long been prized by French perfumers: its intensely fragrant flowers have inspired the master perfumers of Grasse. It owes its name to Cardinal Farnese, a princely patron of the Italian Renaissance, who was so captivated by this plant that it has borne his name through the centuries.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Chinese wisteriaWisteria sinensis
- Common broomCytisus scoparius
- Black locustRobinia pseudoacacia
- Common PeaLathyrus oleraceus
- Honey locustGleditsia triacanthos
- Hairy greenweedGenista pilosa
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.