How to Propagate Acacia Farnesiana

Acacia farnesiana is the scientific name for the deciduous tree or large shrub commonly called sweet acacia, Huisache and Texas Huisache. Native to the American Southwest, Mexico and Chile, Acacia farnesiana features small, fern-like, green leaves on dark brown or gray, thorn-covered stems. The tree fills with vivid yellow, puffy, pompom-like blossoms that emit a strong, sweet aroma in late winter or early spring. These are followed by pod-like fruits full of seeds that wildlife consumes and that you can use to propagate Acacia farnesiana.

Knife
Container
Potting soil
Seed tray
Pots

Instructions

- 1
  Collect several ripe seed pods from the Acacia farnesiana tree. The birds and other wildlife will quickly devour the seeds, so keep an eye on the tree for them after flowering. The pods change from green to brown and are easily removed by hand when ripe.
- 2
  Remove the seeds from the pods. Use only whole and undamaged seeds. Nick each seed with a sharp knife to break dormancy, or what is known as seed scarification.
- 3
  Fill a container with lukewarm water and place the Acacia farnesiana seeds in the water for 12 hours.
- 4
  Put sterile potting soil into a seed tray. Sow one Acacia farnesiana seed 1/4 inch deep every 2 to 3 inches along a row.
- 5
  Water as needed to dampen the soil, and then place the pots in a location with a temperature of 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Maintain moist soil and watch for seedlings to emerge in three to four weeks.
- 6
  Transplant the Acacia farnesiana seedlings into separate pots. Move them to a warm and sunny location to grow larger for at least the first winter before planting them in the landscape. The ideal winter growing location to get the most sunlight is inside a greenhouse. If this is not an option, grow the Acacia farnesiana within a few feet of a window that receives the most sun in the winter.

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