Tree · Fabaceae family
silk tree
Albizia julibrissin
In short a 10-second read
Silk tree (tree) grows to 6–15 m tall and 6–9 m wide when mature. It grows best in full sun, in dry to average soil. It flowers in July–August; the flowers are pink. Hardy to −18 °C.
× spread 6–9 m
Where to plant
Sun, soil, frost.
It grows best in full sun, in dry to average soil. Hardy to −18 °C.
Sun
Elsewhere it will grow less well.
Soil and water
dry to average · watering: moderate
Soil: loamy, sandy, gravelly
Frost
It overwinters outdoors; in cold, windy spots winter protection is worth it.
How much space it takes
Mature size.
The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).
Next to a person
Reaches maturity in about 10–20 years. The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.
Calendar
What to do and when.
Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.
The year at a glance
Flowers
July–August · pink
Pruning
No pruning needed — just remove dead or damaged parts (February–March).
Planting
container plant: October–April; bare-root: October–March; root-balled: October–March
Winter protection
mulch the crown, shelter from wind
Overwintering
In winter it needs protection.
Before the first frosts: mulch the crown, shelter from wind.
- Mulch the crown
- Shelter from wind
- Hardy to −18 °C
- Deciduous — bare in winter
Frequently asked
Quick answers.
When does silk tree flower?
In July–August; the flowers are pink.
Does silk tree tolerate shade?
No, it needs full sun.
How much space does silk tree need?
At maturity 6–9 m wide and 6–15 m tall; recommended spacing 600 cm.
Does silk tree survive winter outdoors?
Yes, with protection: mulch the crown, shelter from wind.
Where the data comes from
The data is indicative — we are still comparing it with further sources. Last checked 17 October 2026.
Show sources (16)
- GBIF — Albizia julibrissin
- Zahradnictví Arónie (CZ) — kategória Malé stromy
- Dučplant (SK) — Okrasné stromy do predzáhradky a malej záhrady
- NC State Extension
- Van den Berk
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (species/match)
- Wikipedia (EN)
- RHS - Albizia julibrissin
- Missouri Botanical Garden - Albizia julibrissin
- RHS - Mulches and mulching
- RHS - Shrubs and trees: light pruning
- RHS - Trees and shrubs: planting
- Clemson HGIC - Planting Trees Correctly
- Invasive plant lists — this species is not on them: Slovakia, Czechia, Germany
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