Key message Mimosa luisanaseeds germinate after 7 years of storage, suggesting that they have a long span life; an interesting characteristic for environmental restoration of semi-arid zones. Mimosa luisanais endemic to Mexico, provides ecosystem services and is economically and culturally important. This species exhibits morphological, anatomical and physiological qualities that make it potentially valuable in ecological restoration. This study evaluated the effects of seed age on seed germination, survival seedlings and growth ofM. luisana, on the assumption that seed age positively influences the parameters related to germination. Mature fruits were collected at the semiarid Tehuacan-Cuicatlan Valley and the seeds were extracted. Healthy seeds were measured and weighed to obtain a uniform sample. Seed moisture content, imbibition rate, germination percentage, survival seedlings and growth were quantified. Seeds that were 84 months old showed the lowest moisture content (4.65%) and imbibition rate of unscarified seeds increased as seeds were older. Scarification considerably promoted germination, which was epigeal and phanerocotylar. Regardless of seed age, seedling growth was slow, with the presence of foliar cotyledons which persisted after the appearance of the protophylls, and the characteristics of an adult plant were observed until the day 22 after sowing.Mimosa luisanaseeds are long-lived and the germination percentage depends on the age of the seed and whether or not it was scarified.