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The fluffy yellow blooms of Australian wattles are a well-loved sight during spring and summer.

These native trees and shrubs are common along roads and in parks, but you can plant wattles right in your yard too!

How to grow wattle? They’re easiest to propagate from seeds, but you can also get starter plants from nurseries and garden centres. Wattles like well-draining soil, full sun, and most climates.

However, make sure to choose an appropriate local species – some varieties could be considered weedy wattles in your area!

Wattle you waiting for? Add some sunshine to your garden or home with this stunning native plant.

Choosing Varieties | Growing Conditions | How to Grow | Growing by Location | Wattle Care | Growing from Cuttings | Common Problems

 

All About the Wattle

Bright yellow wattle flowers in bloom against clear blue sky

Wattles are an evergreen acacia species endemic to Australia – almost 1,000 varieties of them! They’re famous for their bright flowers that pop out in spring and summer (triggering lots of hay fever).

These Australian native trees are some of the best-known plants down under. The golden wattle (Acacia pycnantha) is the country’s national floral emblem!

What does a wattle tree look like? These native plants are characterised by their flattish leaves and signature yellow flowers.

The foliage can range from dark green to silver-grey. Wattle leaves are actually phyllodes, or modified leaf stems that can take in sunlight and hold water.

 

Choosing Wattle Tree Varieties

They may be iconic, but you can’t grow just any wattle in your garden!

Not all native plants are native across the entire country. In the case of wattles, certain species have become invasive outside their original regions.

For example, the Sydney golden wattle (Acacia longifolia) is naturally found in eastern regions like Queensland. However, it’s become invasive in parts of South Australia and Western Australia.

Wattles spread fast thanks to their seeds, which can survive underground for long periods then spring up in the right conditions. That lets them quickly take over an ecosystem where they don’t belong.

Some wattle varieties you can grow in different states or territories include:

  • Australian Capital Territory: Box-leaved wattle, ovens wattle, golden wattle
  • New South Wales: Pilliga wattle, West Wyalong wattle, Hickory wattle
  • Northern Territory: Witchetty bush, Elephant Ear wattle, Acacia argyraea
  • Queensland: Queensland silver wattle, Weeping myall, Wallangarra wattle
  • South Australia: Swamp wattle, Barrier Range wattle, Gold Dust wattle
  • Tasmania: Coast wattle, black wattle, silver wattle
  • Victoria: Rough wattle, Wallowa, Sticky wattle
  • Western Australia: Common Mulga, Myrtle wattle, Western Myall

For small gardens or potted wattles, look for dwarf varieties! Some popular shrub-type wattles include Acacia ‘Limelight’ (known for lime-green foliage) and Acacia ‘Mini Cog’.

Check with your local nursery or a professional gardener about which wattles you can grow. And of course, consult any local council or state regulations!

 

Growing Conditions for Wattle Trees

Wattle trees in bloom

Most wattles aren’t fussy about their growing conditions – they’ve adapted to grow in many different environments.

Still, all plants have the best conditions where they’ll thrive.

 

Climate

Wattles will tolerate most climates, but each variety will do best in its native weather conditions.

Still, most wattles can cope with hot, dry weather and drought since their leaves have adapted to reduce water loss.

Avoid growing wattles in areas with very low winter temperatures or heavy rainfall.

 

Soil

Acacia limelight

The wattle plant can tolerate most soil types so long as they have good drainage! But like many other native plants, they’ll do best in slightly acidic to neutral soils (pH 5.5 to 7.5).

For heavy soils (like clay), use amendments like gypsum, sand, and perlite.

Avoid planting your wattle tree at a low spot in your garden, where water could collect and turn the ground soggy.

 

Sunlight

Wattles thrive in full sun, but they’ll tolerate part shade. Try to give them 6-8 hours of direct sunlight a day.

Young plants (also called tubestock) may need some shade when temperatures go above 30ºC (86ºF).

Adequate light prevents elongated branches, sparse flowers, and weak growth.

 

How to Grow Wattle Trees in Australia

Wattles can establish themselves quickly, both from seed and starter plants.

They’re among the best fast-growing trees for your garden.

 

When to plant wattles in Australia

Wattle bush with a shrinking of yellow beneath it at Garran, ACT, Australia

The best time to sow wattle seeds is in early spring or autumn.

For seedlings or tubestock, you can plant them at any time in milder climates. However, if you live somewhere with hot, dry summers, it’s best to wait until autumn or early winter.

 

How to grow wattle from seed

These native trees are easy to germinate! To grow wattle trees from seed, you’ll need:

  • Ripe seed pods
  • Starter trays or plastic pots with drainage
  • Starter mix or seed-raising mix

The seeds have a hard seed coat you’ll need to break so they can germinate. The easiest method is to “scarify” the seeds by lightly scraping them with sandpaper.

(You can also soak them for half a day in hot water, but not all seeds can handle the heat!)

After you’ve treated the seeds, you can opt to germinate them in damp paper towels first. Layer the paper towels in a container, then scatter the seeds.

Cover them up and keep them in a cool, dark place until they’ve germinated. Afterwards, transfer the seeds to nursery pots with potting mix.

Alternatively, you can sow the seeds directly in moistened starter mix! Fill up seed trays or nursery pots with starter soil, then sow each seed 5mm down.

Lightly cover the seeds with more potting mix, then keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Place the trays or pots somewhere with bright, indirect light but out of direct sun exposure.

Once the seedlings have established root systems, transplant them to their permanent spot.

 

How to grow wattle from young plants

wattle plant

To grow wattle from tubestock or starter plants, choose a good spot in your garden. Amend the soil if necessary.

Dig a hole that’s twice as wide and just as deep as the root ball. For a little hack, use the plant’s container as a size gauge – the hole shouldn’t be bigger than the pot.

Remove the plant from its container and inspect the roots. Remove any plant plugs and cut off any roots that show signs of rot or tangling.

Place the plant in the hole, then backfill with soil and gently firm down the ground. Keep the soil moist until the roots have established themselves – about the time you start seeing new growth.

 

Growing Wattle By Location

You can grow wattle trees both indoors and outdoors, so long as you pick the right plant!

 

Growing wattle outdoors

wattle outdoors

Choose a wattle variety that’s best suited to your climate and garden size! Many wattles can reach 10m tall, but there are shrub varieties that can be kept to a more manageable 2-5m.

You can grow wattles as feature trees, screen plants, or even garden borders.

The wattle tree root system is wide-spreading and vigorous, so try to keep your wattles at least 10m away from any structure.

 

Growing wattle in pots

Wattle can survive in a pot so long as you plant the correct species.

Look for Acacia cognata varieties, such as ‘Limelight’, ‘Mini Cog’, and ‘Fettuccini’’. These dwarf cultivars are perfect for compact growing.

Choose pots that are 5-10cm larger than the root ball, with adequate drainage holes. Keep an eye on their moisture levels – potted plants are prone to overwatering.

Wattle roots like to stretch, so be ready to repot them when you see they’ve become rootbound.

 

Wattle Tree Care and Maintenance

Wattles aren’t too high-maintenance – you can leave them to themselves when they’ve matured.

Keep an eye out for any disease or poor health, though!

 

Watering wattles

Native Australian Acacia wattle tree wild flower plant

Like many native plants, the wattle is drought-tolerant once mature. Their leaves have adapted to minimising water loss and withstanding heat.

While the plant is establishing itself, keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. Once mature, though, the wattle can subsist on natural rainfall.

Give your plant some extra water during hotter months (like summer) if the soil gets too dry.

For potted wattles, you can let the soil dry out between watering.

 

Pruning wattles

While your plants are establishing themselves, you can tip-prune the wattles to encourage bushier growth.

After flowering, prune the tips of the plant to maintain its shape and keep it from spreading. Don’t cut into new growth, though, and don’t cut anything thicker than a pencil!

You can also deadhead spent flowers to maintain the appearance.

However, once a wattle acacia is matured, it’ll only need pruning for:

  • Dying growth
  • Disease or pests
  • Size maintenance
  • Unruly or scraggly growth

Use clean, sharp pruners or loppers and make quick cuts to minimise the risk of disease and rot.

 

Fertilising wattles

Most native plants do not need fertiliser and are sensitive to elevated levels of phosphorus. They’re also capable of returning nitrogen to the ground.

If you want to give your tree a boost, you can apply low-phosphorus native plant fertiliser in spring.

Alternatively, layer some organic mulch such as leaf litter or chunky bark away from the base of the trunk. This will help keep the roots cool and restrict weed growth.

 

Can Wattles Be Grown From Cuttings?

wattle tree flowers

Yes – but it can be tricky! Most species are better grown from seed, but some cultivars produce few to no seed pods and cannot be propagated that way.

The most difficult part is getting quality cuttings from a wattle. You’ll need to look for fresh stems that have just started to harden or become woody at the base – generally late summer to early autumn.

To grow a wattle from cuttings, take stems that are around 10-15cm long. Make the cut just above the lowest leaf node and remove any leaves from the bottom half of the stem.

Dip the ends in a rooting hormone to encourage growth and prevent fungal disease.

Place the cuttings in pots with a propagation mix made of 10 parts sand, 6 parts perlite, and 1 part peat. You can also use potting mix amended with sand and perlite.

Keep the propagations in bright, indirect light but out of direct sun. Keep the soil moist and cover the cuttings with a plastic bag or cover to maintain humidity.

Once the cuttings have rooted, transplant them to their own pots. Do note that the success rate of growing wattle from cuttings is low.

If you plan to grow them outdoors, don’t keep them in containers for too long – the larger the root system, the higher the chance of transplant shock.

 

Common Wattle Tree Problems

Wattles in the eastern states, South Australia, and the Perth region are prone to wattle tick scale. The scale starts out white, then turns dark brown over time.

You’ll recognise wattle tick scale by hard bumps along branches that are white or cream-coloured. There may be a sticky substance called honeydew, which attracts ants that drive away natural enemies.

To treat wattle tick scale, scrape off the scale or prune off any diseased branches.

Other common wattle pests include borers, bag-shelter moths, and galls (which lead to gall rust).

Wattles are also prone to overwatering, which causes root rot and fungal disease. If your Acacia ‘Limelight’ is dying in its pot, it’s likely overwatered.

Too much water or poor-draining soil is also a common problem for Acacia cognata ‘Fettuccini’, another dwarf cultivar grown in pots.

High levels of phosphorus in soil can also harm the growth of wattles and other native plants.

 

FAQs About Growing Wattles

Yellow Wattle species blooming in spring

Looking for more info on how to grow wattle in Australia? Here are common concerns and questions!

 

Is wattle easy to grow?

Very! Wattles can grow quickly from seed or starter plants. It’s this quick growth habit that makes them invasive when they’re brought outside their native regions.

Wattles are actually “pioneer plants,” which means they establish themselves quickly in barren or disrupted ecosystems. After wildfires, for example, wattles may be the first plants to pop up.

 

How long does a wattle tree take to grow?

Acacias are fast-growing trees, with some reaching mature height in a few years. Generally, wattles grow 0.5-1.0m per year.

If you have a small garden, opt for dwarf cultivars to save space.

 

How long do wattle trees live?

These acacias are short-lived plants – a wattle tree’s lifespan is typically 7-12 years. Afterwards, they very quickly decline.

Some species, such as golden wattle (Acacia pycnantha), can live up to 15 years and rarely up to 30 years.

 

How to get wattle seeds?

It’s best to collect wattle seed pods in autumn – about 3 months after flowering. Ripe seed pods will be turning brown but not yet cracked open.

You can then split the pods open at home. If you encounter some difficulty, soak the pods in some warm water first.

Some seeds (called wattleseeds) are edible and have long been a staple in Aboriginal diets. Golden wattle, Mulga wattle, and Elegant wattle are some varieties that have edible seeds.

You can roast then grind the seeds to make flour, or harvest raw seeds (in green pods) to pop like popcorn.

 

Are wattles considered a weed?

Yes, wattles can be considered weeds or invasive plants depending on the state or territory.

For example, Cootamundra wattle (Acacia baileyana) can be invasive even within its native environment of NSW. It’s considered a “local priority weed” due to its fast-spreading nature and ability to hybridise with other wattles.

Consult your local nursery or garden centre to find local wattle species instead of weedy wattles.

About Author

Jamie Donovan

Jamie is an Australian horticulturalist and landscape designer. He enjoys writing about landscape architecture, garden design and lifestyle topics.

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About Author

Jamie Donovan

Jamie is an Australian horticulturalist and landscape designer. He enjoys writing about landscape architecture, garden design and lifestyle topics.

Share