How much sun does Mimosa need?

Mimosa grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Mimosa bloom?

Mimosa blooms in June, July, and August.

Is Mimosa toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Mimosa as toxic to livestock.

What butterflies or moths does Mimosa host?

Mimosa is a larval host plant for io moth and clouded skipper.

Is Mimosa HOA-friendly?

Mimosa takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Mimosa

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Albizia julibrissin

Last reviewed: August 2026

Toxicity unknown

Mimosa (Albizia julibrissin) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Mimosa as toxic to livestock.

Light

full sun

Water

medium

Size

300"–600" H × 300"–600" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul, Aug

Pollinators

bees, butterflies, moths

Native alternatives to Mimosa

Mimosa is not native to the United States. These natives fill a similar role in a planting, matched on bloom season, bloom color and mature size.

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Mimosa is a fast-growing deciduous tree with feathery compound leaves and fluffy pink flowers that bloom throughout summer. This non-native tree creates a broad, umbrella-shaped canopy that provides excellent shade but can be short-lived and prone to storm damage.

In an HOA neighborhood

Mimosa takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: high. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Invasive species in many areas
Messy seed pods and frequent branch drop
Often considered weedy or undesirable by HOAs

Wildlife value

Host plant for io moth, clouded skipper.

The fragrant pink flowers attract bees, butterflies, and moths during the summer blooming period. Birds may use the tree for nesting, though it provides less ecological value than native alternatives.

Common questions

How much sun does Mimosa need?: Mimosa grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Mimosa bloom?: Mimosa blooms in June, July, and August.
Is Mimosa toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Mimosa as toxic to livestock.
What butterflies or moths does Mimosa host?: Mimosa is a larval host plant for io moth and clouded skipper.
Is Mimosa HOA-friendly?: Mimosa takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

Ready to grow Mimosa? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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