When the decorative silk tree, also called silk acacia or sleeping tree, loses its leaves, it is not always a cause for concern. Sometimes incorrect care is also responsible for leaf loss. Why does it lose its leaves and what can you do about it?
Why does the silk tree lose its leaves and what can you do about it?
A silk tree loses its leaves due to unfavorable environmental conditions such as a location that is too dark, incorrect irrigation, insufficient fertilization or frost damage. In winter it is normal for it to lose all its leaves. Optimize location, watering and fertilization behavior for better leaf development.
When the sleeping tree loses all its leaves
Possible causes for the loss of leaves on a silk acacia are:
- Location too dark
- watered too much/too little
- fertilized too often/not enough
- Frost Damage
Silk tree loses all its leaves in winter
If the silk tree is overwintered in a frost-free place in the house, it almost always loses all of its leaves. This is because it is simply too dark in winter. If you want, you can try to provide more light with plant lamps (€39.00 on Amazon).
But this isn't really necessary, because the leaves sprout again in spring when the sleeping tree is otherwise he althy.
Choose a location as bright as possible
The silk tree needs a lot of light. If you plant it in the garden, choose a location where it is as sunny as possible but also sheltered from the wind.
When caring for the sleeping tree in a pot or as a bonsai, place it in a full sun spot on the terrace or balcony.
Water and fertilize the sleeping tree properly
If the silk tree loses all its leaves during the gardening year, poor care can also be responsible. The most important thing is correct watering and fertilizing.
Do not water too much or too little. Water enough so that the root ball is slightly moist but never too wet. When outdoors, make sure that the soil is permeable to water so that waterlogging does not form. You should create drainage in the bucket.
Don't give the silk acacia too little or too many nutrients either. Only fertilize at fortnightly intervals during the growth phase from March to September. Older silk trees outdoors do not need additional fertilizer.
Tip
A silk tree can be grown from seeds. However, that takes time. Propagation is only worthwhile if you can provide a warm location for the young plants.