Spreading Acacia

Acacia redolens

Light

Water

Low water once established. Water deeply, then let soil dry between irrigations; provide occasional supplemental water during prolonged Phoenix summer heat. Water more regularly during establishment.

Size

2-3 ft tall × 10-15 ft wide

Habit

Mounded – spreading shrub

Toxicity

Not Established

Description

A tough Australian evergreen shrub with sprawling branches, leathery gray-green foliage, and fragrant yellow spring flowers; widely used as a desert groundcover.

Bloom Time

Late winter to spring

Deciduous / Evergreen

Evergreen

Special Features

Drought Tolerant, Fragrant, Thornless, Thorny / Spiny

Growth Rate

Fast

Growth Habit

Mounded – spreading shrub

Mature Size

2-3 ft tall × 10-15 ft wide

Flower Color

Yellow

Foliage Color

Gray-green

Landscape Use

Border / Bed, Desert / Xeriscape, Groundcover

Garden Style

Desert / Xeriscape

Soil

Alkaline Tolerant, Sandy / Rocky, Well-Drained

Companion Plants

Desert spoon, Golden barrel cactus, Palo verde, Red yucca, Texas sage

Not Established

Not established — verify

Care Instructions

Light: Full sun preferred; tolerates light shade.

Water: Low water once established. Water deeply, then let soil dry between irrigations; provide occasional supplemental water during prolonged Phoenix summer heat. Water more regularly during establishment.

Soil: Well-drained sandy, gravelly, or loamy soil; tolerates alkaline desert soils. Avoid persistently wet or poorly drained sites.

Mature size: Typically 3–6 feet tall and 10–15 feet wide; selected groundcover cultivars stay about 1–2 feet tall. Unselected plants can grow taller.

Bloom: Late winter through early spring, typically February–April in Phoenix.

Evergreen / deciduous: Evergreen.

Growth rate: Fast with adequate establishment water; moderate under very dry conditions.