Mimosa Bonsai Care [Albizia julibrissin]

Bonsai plants are wonderful. They create an environment of peace, love, harmony, and relaxation in your house.

If you are here to get any kind of information about the mimosa bonsai plant then don’t go anywhere.

This Mimosa bonsai guide is a treasure where you can find any kind of information about the mimosa bonsai plant – be it care, maintenance, growth, or anything else.

Scientific NameAlbizia julibrissin
Origin of PlantIndigenous to China – Now also found in the United States
WateringWater the root ball thoroughly and then let the soil dry out before watering again.
Light requirementsNeeds full sunlight
TemperatureDoes not tolerate cold temperature below 60℉ or 15℃

It is not frost-hardy and needs protection from frost.
SoilWell-draining standard soil mixture. There are no specific pH level requirements.
FertilizationUse a solid fertilizer every month OR liquid fertilizer every week during the growing season.
RepottingAfter every 2-3 years in spring.
FloweringGrows wonderful pink fragrant flowers
Pests and DiseasesWebworms, mites, and scales.
Indoor/OutdoorOutdoor because it needs full sunlight

Can you bonsai a mimosa tree?

Before we begin a discussion about any other thing, we must determine that is it even possible to bonsai a mimosa tree?

The answer is yes, you can bonsai a mimosa tree.

Albizia julibrissin (Persian silk tree): 365 days time-lapse - from seed to bonsai forest

They are fast-growing plants. The limbs and trunk of this plant thicken much faster as compared to the other bonsai plants. That’s why sculpting the mimosa plant is easier and people love to have it in their collection of bonsai plants.

This plant grows eye-catching fragrant flowers that make it very beautiful and different from the other plants around.

Overall, this plant is a great choice as bonsai and won’t disappoint you if given a chance.

Mimosa bonsai history

Now let’s talk a little bit about the history, general info, and background of this very famous bonsai plant.

So, where did the mimosa bonsai plant originate from? Let’s find out:

Where do mimosa trees come from?

Well, the historical references suggest that the mimosa tree is indigenous to China. But then it was imported to several different parts of the world and now it is being grown almost everywhere.

In 1745, the mimosa tree was imported from China to the United States.

Currently, you will find plenty of mimosa bonsai plants growing in the coastal and southern regions of the United States.

The mimosa bonsai plant is mostly famous for its showy flowers and unique foliage that gives a very unusual yet attractive appearance to this plant. It catches the eyes of the viewers and always amuse them.

Mimosa bonsai scientific name

Mimosa bonsai plant has multiple names in different languages and regions. It creates a big confusion when we try to identify this plant.

That’s why the scientists came up with the idea of giving a unique scientific name to the plants that will be accepted internationally.

The scientific name of the mimosa bonsai plant is Albizia julibrissin.

Now if you go to any part of the world Albizia julibrissin will be the only accepted scientific name of the mimosa bonsai plant.

The scientific name is divided into 2 parts. The first section of the name refers to the genus name of this plant whereas the second section of the name refers to the species name of this plant.

Genus NameSpecies Name
“Albizia” is the genus name.  “Julibrissin” is the species name.

Mimosa bonsai care

Do you know why most people fail at growing this mimosa bonsai plant?

The reason is improper care.

What people do is that they buy the plant but they do not learn how to take care of it.

They keep caring for the plant as per their choice and end up taking a lot of wrong decisions such as incorrect watering, fertilization, soil, pruning, etc. Eventually, they end up killing their plant.

We are going to teach you all the important aspects of taking care of a mimosa bonsai plant. After following our guidelines, you can easily grow this plant successfully.

Mimosa bonsai temperature

Dangerous temperatureBelow 60℉ or 15℃

The first most important thing is the temperature under which you keep your mimosa bonsai plant.

If the temperature is not suitable for your bonsai plant, then it will eventually die.

Studies have shown that the mimosa bonsai plant likes to stay in full sunlight & needs protection from winds. You should keep the plant under partial shade during the hottest time of the year.

The mimosa bonsai is a tropical plant that loves a warmer climate and does not tolerate frost & extreme cold weather. Exposing this bonsai plant to cold weather &frost will result in the yellowing of its leaves. When the temperature is less than 60℉ or 15℃ then you should protect your plant.

Mimosa bonsai fertilizer

Plants require fertilizer for their survival and growth. Especially if you are growing a bonsai plant in a pot, it will have a very small quantity of nutrients available for survival and growth. Thus, you will have to fertilize it at the right time so that your plant can get enough nutrients and show good growth.

We recommend you fertilize your mimosa bonsai tree after every month by using a solid organic fertilizer.

You can also use a liquid fertilizer after every week during the growing season.

In winter, you should reduce the frequency of fertilization and fertilize your plant less often.

Mimosa bonsai pruning/trimming

Pruning is when we selectively trim a mimosa bonsai plant to give it a desired shape or style.

However, it needs to be done at the right time & using the right technique.

We will teach you everything.

When to first prune a mimosa bonsai?

Experts recommend that you should prune your mimosa bonsai plant once the flowering is over.

When should you trim a mimosa bonsai?

The best time for trimming a mimosa bonsai plant is right after flowering.

However, if you are doing severe pruning then it should be done in early spring.

How to prune a mimosa tree?

Reducing the leaf size of these plants is nearly impossible. Thus, you should prune them as they grow in nature.

The branches of the mimosa bonsai plant are very delicate and soft so you should be careful when pruning or wiring them.

Mimosa bonsai repotting

Every bonsai plant including your mimosa bonsai requires repotting after a specific time.

If you will never repot your plant then it will affect its health & growth.

However, you need to know that repotting is a weakening activity, and performing it too frequently will weaken your plant. This way your plant can stop growing and may even die.

We recommend that you should repot your mimosa bonsai plant after every 2 to 3 years in spring.

A well-draining standard soil mix will be the perfect option when repotting the mimosa bonsai plant.

This plant can take root pruning well and it does not have any special demands regarding the pH value of soil.

Mimosa bonsai pests and diseases

You know there are plenty of pests and diseases that can attack your plant and stunt its growth. In an extreme case, your plant can even die.

That’s why awareness of the enemy is important along with how to deal with it.

Experts say that your mimosa bonsai plant can be attacked by webworms, mites, and scales.

If you spot any of them attacking your plant, then use a specific pesticide to neutralize them.

Mimosa bonsai soil

The health of your plant directly depends upon the soil you use for your plant. If you are growing a bonsai plant in the wrong type of soil then it won’t grow well.

That’s why you need to know which soil is fit for your mimosa bonsai plant.

Experts say that you should use a well-draining standard soil mixture for this plant. It does not have any specific pH level requirements.

A well-draining soil will help the water thoroughly move through the soil. It will prevent overwatering & decaying of roots which is very beneficial for the health of your plant. 

Mimosa bonsai watering

Watering is crucial for your mimosa bonsai plant’s health and growth.

But the problem arrives when you either give too little OR too much water to your plant. In simple words, underwatering &overwatering both are problematic for your mimosa bonsai plant.

Experts recommend that you should water the root ball thoroughly. After that, you should let the soil dry before rewatering the plant.

Good drainage is very important for the plant’s health. The mimosa bonsai plant can tolerate a very short period of droughts. You can give slightly calcareous or slightly acidic water to your mimosa bonsai plant.

Mimosa bonsai sunlight requirements

Do you know how plants get their food?

Well, they absorb sunlight to perform photosynthesis and prepare their food.

Your mimosa bonsai plant loves to stay in full sunlight so keep it there for better health and growth.

Mimosa bonsai species

You know there are multiple species of the same plant. Similarly, the mimosa bonsai plant is also found in several different species.

Mimosa pudica bonsai

Mimosa pudica bonsai is one of the most amazing plants you will ever see. Do you know why?

Well, the leaves of this plant start folding if you touch or disturb them. This bonsai plant also grows wonderful pink flowers that make this plant very attractive.

Silk mimosa bonsai

Silk mimosa bonsai plant grows beautiful pink flowers that have silky stamens. That’s why we call it the silky mimosa bonsai. The flowering period of this bonsai plant lasts from April to July.

Jacaranda mimosa bonsai

Jacaranda mimosa bonsai mimosifolia has a similar foliage like the mimosa bonsai plants.

Overall, this is a wonderful bonsai plant that is known for its easy care & maintenance.

Mimosa hostilis bonsai

The mimosa hostilis bonsai is a shrub-like plant that mostly grows in the outdoor environment and requires plenty of light.

Mimosa bonsai cost

If you are looking to purchase a mimosa bonsai plant, you must be wondering how much this plant costs?

Well, you can get this bonsai plant for anywhere between $50 to $160.

If you want to buy the seeds, they are cheaper and usually cost $7 to $10.

Mimosa bonsai flowers

Does the mimosa bonsai plant grow flowers? The answer is yes!

The Mimosa bonsai plant is famous for its beautiful flowers.

This plant grows pink fragrant flowers that attract the eyes of the viewers. The cute pink flowers of this bonsai plant will lighten up the surroundings with their beauty.

Experts say that the flowering period of this bonsai plant starts in April and ends in July.

Are Mimosa bonsai indoor or outdoor?

Are you wondering whether you should grow a mimosa bonsai plant indoor OR outdoor?

The answer is that Mimosa bonsai is an outdoor plant and it should not be grown indoors.

The mimosa bonsai plant requires full sunlight for growth. Thus, you will have to keep it outdoors.

If you will grow it indoors, then your plant won’t get enough light so it will now grow well.

My Mimosa Bonsai Tree (Touch me not), an update Video

How to keep a mimosa bonsai small?

If you want to keep your mimosa bonsai plant smaller then the answer to your question is pruning.

Yes, pruning.

Pruning is selective & careful trimming of a bonsai plant to give it the desired shape or maintain its already present shape and size.

You are advised to regularly prune your plant to keep it small. The mimosa bonsai plant should be pruned after flowering. If you are going to do hard pruning then the best time for that is early spring.

How to bonsai mimosa tree?

If you planning to grow a mimosa bonsai tree, then there are multiple ways to do that. You can either grow them from seeds OR cuttings.

The silk mimosa bonsai can be grown from seeds whereas the other species can be grown from cuttings (except Albizia julibrissin).

Let’s quickly get an overview of how both of these methods work.

Mimosa bonsai from seed

In this method, you take healthy seeds of the mimosa bonsai plant and sow them in a suitable soil mixture.

The seed grows into a plant and then you take care of it.

Mimosa bonsai from cuttings

In this method, you take fresh cuttings of another mimosa bonsai plant.

Then, you dip the cuttings in rooting hormone and plant them in a suitable soil mixture.

After some time, the cuttings develop roots and start growing into a complete plant. Then you start taking care of the plant as per our care instructions. Eventually, it will grow into a proper bonsai plant.

Once you have planted the cuttings, you can check for roots after a couple of weeks. Try to gently move the plant, if it shows some resistance then it means that the roots have formed.

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