Grevilleas are a favourite in gardens across Australia, and it’s easy to see why. This unfussy native shrub comes in a wide range of colours and sizes, and can flower non-stop through the cooler months, with some varieties flowering year-round.
Here are some insights on how to plant, grow and care for these indigenous beauties, as well as trouble-shooting advice on common problems these plants can experience.
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What are Grevilleas?
Named after Charles Francis Greville, these plants are part of the Proteaceae family and are native to Australia. There are over 350 species and even more cultivars on the market, with flowers ranging from cream and yellow to pink, orange, red and lilac.
Grevilleas are all about variety, so there’s a type for almost every garden. In addition to ground covers and small shrubs, there are great screening varieties, trees and even weeping standards.
Popular Grevillea Varieties
With over 350 species and new cultivars, it’s impossible to cover every type of Grevillea! But if you’re just starting to consider these beautiful plants, here are some of the most successful and rewarding types to grow.
Popular Grevillea Varieties
With over 350 species and new cultivars, it’s impossible to cover every type of Grevillea! But if you’re just starting to consider these beautiful plants, here are some of the most successful and rewarding types to grow.
Grevillea Seaspray (Grevillea preissii)
With grey foliage and rich, raspberry flowers in tight clusters, this variety is vibrant and eye-catching. Also known as Sea Spray, it grows well in sandy or limestone soils, growing to a height of about 1m and flowering from autumn to spring.
Grevillea Preissii Growing Guide
Grevillea Green Carpet (Grevillea crithmifolia)
Source: commons.wikimedia.org
This soft and pretty ground cover is a spreading shrub that can reach a height of up to 1m. It produces clusters of white flowers from winter to spring that have a beautiful scent.
Grevillea Crithmifolia Growing Guide
Grevillea Ground Cover (Grevillea nudiflora)
With green leaves and red flowers, this basic variety of Grevillea is a hardy, low-growing ground cover that thrives in almost any conditions, growing well in frosty areas and flowering through the spring.
Grevillea Nudiflora Growing Guide
Flame Grevillea (Grevillea excelsior)
This is a large shrub that can reach up to 3-4m in height, with green foliage and flame-orange flowers that bloom in winter through spring.
It makes a fantastic feature plant for a garden, bringing in plenty of birds, butterflies and beneficial insects.
Grevillea Excelsior Growing Guide
Grevillea Honey Gem (Grevillea banksii x pteridifolia)
This is a hybrid mix of Grevillea banksii and Grevillea pteridifolia, creating a semi-tropical shrub that grows to about 3-5m in height and produces golden yellow flowers for most of the year.
It’s a favourite with birds and butterflies, and tends to grow tall rather than wide with pruning.
Greville Honey Gem Growing Guide
Rosemary Grevillea (Grevillea rosmarinifolia)
This is a smaller Grevillea that’s well-suited to growing in patio containers and pots. With pink/white flowers and pointed, silvery green foliage, it resembles the rosemary plant after which it is named.
It can reach up to 1.5m in height, and is also widely used as a hedge plant.
Grevilea Rosmarinifolia Growing Guide
Grevillea Moonlight
This is a robust shrub with evergreen, feathery foliage. It produces a beautiful array of ivory coloured flowers which bloom throughout the summer and long into autumn.
Grevillea Robyn Gordon
The Grevillea Robyn Gordon is a very popular cultivar due to its compact growth habit. It is favoured for its all-year flowering habit and no-fuss growth. It’s suitable for a range of soils and climates.
Grevillea Robyn Gordon Growing Guide
Grevillea Superb
As the name suggests, the grevillea superb is hybrid species of the Banksii and Bipinnatifida cultivars, with long-lasting flowers which bloom in a variety of colours including coral, pink and yellow.
It prefers acidic soils and full-sun spots, but it's incredibly hardy so won’t offer growers too much hassle once established.
Grevillea Superb Growing Guide.
Grevillea Bronze Ramble
Grevillea Bronze Rambler is an unusually prostrate grevillea, with a low-growing habit that can easily spread to cover large swathes of borders in a few short years.
It's simple red stems pop out from chalky-green leaves with decorative and deeply lobed foliage.
While they flower throughout the year, their dramatic clusters of red flowers, tipped with vivid yellow pollen, are most noticeable in winter and spring.
Grevillea Bronze Rambler Growing Guide
Grevillea Ned Kelly
Also referred to as the Mason’s hybrid, the Ned Kelly cultivar offers subtle grey foliage with brilliant orange blooms which create a wonderful contrast for gardens. It’s best suited as a feature shrub or screening plant.
Grevillea Ned Kelly Growing Guide
Prickly Spider Flower (Grevillea juniperina)
Commonly known as the Juniper leaf or prickly spider flower, this variety is a low-maintenance, low-growing variety of the grevillea species. It’s nectar-rich flowers come in a variety of colours and offer a wonderful shelter for local bird life.
Be sure to grow this cultivar in a sunny spot with plenty of well-draining soil. A sub-species of this juniperina is the Grevillea New Blood, which offers glorious deep-red blooms.
Grevillea Juniperina Growing Guide
Grevillea Peaches and Cream
Has a unique flowering habit and small narrow leaves which create a lovely texture year-round.
Grevillea Peaches and Cream Growing Guide
Grevillea Ivanhoe
Source: Gardeningwithangus.com.au
The ivanhoe is a hybrid of the longifolia and celery species with exciting and interesting toothed leaves – not often found on other grevillea species.
It is prized as an attractive garden plant and best suited as hedging, screening or as a windbreak.
Grevillea Ivanhoe Growing Guide
Weeping Grevillea
Source: Weepers.com.au
This sun-loving variety is perfect for smaller gardens or as a feature plant. Although it’s a smaller tree it has a curious cascading growth habit, which creates an almost umbrella-like feature.
Its blooms come in a variety of colours and have a non-invasive root system – perfect for pots or compact gardens.
Olive Grevillea (Grevillea olivacea)
This blooming shrub produces flowers in winter and spring in shades of red, yellow and orange. The leaves are an olive green colour. Grevillea olivacea likes a sunny spot and works well in the garden as a hedge or screen. It can grow up to a height of 4 metres.
Grevillea Olivcea Growing Guide
Growing up to 10 metres in height, this Grevillea produces fragrant white/cream flowers and has brilliant green leaves tinged with bronze underneath. The tree is low maintenance, and can grow in sun or part shade.
Brown Silky Oak (Grevillea baileyana)
Source: Wikipedia
Growing up to 10 metres in height, this Grevillea produces fragrant white/cream flowers and has brilliant green leaves tinged with bronze underneath. The tree is low maintenance, and can grow in sun or part shade.
Grevillea Baileyana Growing Guide.
Grevillea Loopy Lou
This small Grevillea produces lovely flowers all year round in shades of yellow, pink, green and orange. Growing to a height and spread of 1.5 metres, it works just as well in the garden as it does in a container.
Grevillea Loopy Lou Growing Guide
Grevillea Royal Mantle
Source: Shambhala Nursery
A low maintenance ground cover that has a generous spread of up to 6 metres and produces wine-red flowers and new leaf growth in a bronze shade. This Grevillea is fast growing and flat, working great on slopes and to help with erosion control.
Grevillea Royal Mantle Growing Guide
Grevillea Coconut Ice
Source: Native Plant Project
Grevillea Coconut Ice is a medium sized shrub and popular cultivar producing cream and pinkish flowers most of the year. It is much loved by local bird life, and can grow to a height and spread of up to 2 metres.
Grevillea Coconut Ice will flower best in full sun, and requires well-draining soil.
Grevillea Coconut Ice Growing Guide
Red Silky Oak (Grevillea banksii)
Grevillea banksii is a well-known cultivar of Grevillea and is often selected as one of the parent plants to create new Grevillea hybrids. It is known either as a large shrub or small tree, reaching a height of up to 8 metres and a spread of 3 metres.
The leaves are a green to silver colour and it produces large and beautiful flowers that are shades of red or pink, depending on the variety.
Grevillea Banksii Growing Guide
Grevillea Magnifica
This is a unique Grevillea that grows up to 4 metres tall and 2 metres wide. It features clusters of iridescent pink flower spikes that bloom from late winter to spring.
It needs well-drained soil to thrive but is generally a low-maintenance addition to the garden. It will make for excellent colourful shrubbery outdoors and can even be grown in patio container gardens.
Grevillea Magnifica Growing Guide
Grevillea Lanigera
Source: PlantMaster
This prized prostrate Grevillea features hot pink blooms, lush woolly foliage and a wonderfully spreading habit, perfect for use as an attractive groundcover or in mass plantings.
It only reaches a maximum height of around 1.5 metres tall and prefers sunny positions in sandy to medium loam soil when cultivated in gardens.
Grevillea Lanigera Growing Guide
Grevillea Sericea
Boasting massive clusters of pink spidery flowers throughout most of the year, it's easy to see why this Grevillea species is so adored.
Amidst the nectar-rich blooms, you’ll find light green lance-shaped leaves that just add to this plant's already impressive characteristics.
Be sure to plant in well-drained soils and position in a sunny spot and you’ll have a stunner of a shrub to elevate your garden. Growth is around 1 to 2 metres tall and wide.
Grevillea Seaspray (Grevillea preissii)With grey foliage and rich, raspberry flowers in tight clusters, this variety is vibrant and eye-catching. Also known as Sea Spray, it grows well in sandy or limestone soils, growing to a height of about 1m and flowering from autumn to spring. | |
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Grevillea Green Carpet (Grevillea crithmifolia)This soft and pretty ground cover is a spreading shrub that can reach a height of up to 1m. It produces clusters of white flowers from winter to spring that have a beautiful scent. | Source: commons.wikimedia.org |
Grevillea Ground Cover (Grevillea nudiflora)With green leaves and red flowers, this basic variety of Grevillea is a hardy, low-growing ground cover that thrives in almost any conditions, growing well in frosty areas and flowering through the spring. | |
Flame Grevillea (Grevillea excelsior)This is a large shrub that can reach up to 3-4m in height, with green foliage and flame-orange flowers that bloom in winter through spring. It makes a fantastic feature plant for a garden, bringing in plenty of birds, butterflies and beneficial insects. | |
Grevillea Honey Gem (Grevillea banksii x pteridifolia)This is a hybrid mix of Grevillea banksii and Grevillea pteridifolia, creating a semi-tropical shrub that grows to about 3-5m in height and produces golden yellow flowers for most of the year. It’s a favourite with birds and butterflies, and tends to grow tall rather than wide with pruning. | |
Rosemary Grevillea (Grevillea rosmarinifolia)This is a smaller Grevillea that’s well-suited to growing in patio containers and pots. With pink/white flowers and pointed, silvery green foliage, it resembles the rosemary plant after which it is named. It can reach up to 1.5m in height, and is also widely used as a hedge plant. | |
Grevillea MoonlightThis is a robust shrub with evergreen, feathery foliage. It produces a beautiful array of ivory coloured flowers which bloom throughout the summer and long into autumn. | |
Grevillea Robyn GordonThe Grevillea Robyn Gordon is a very popular cultivar due to its compact growth habit. It is favoured for its all-year flowering habit and no-fuss growth. It’s suitable for a range of soils and climates. | |
Grevillea SuperbAs the name suggests, the grevillea superb is hybrid species of the Banksii and Bipinnatifida cultivars, with long-lasting flowers which bloom in a variety of colours including coral, pink and yellow. It prefers acidic soils and full-sun spots, but it's incredibly hardy so won’t offer growers too much hassle once established. | |
Grevillea Bronze RamblerGrevillea Bronze Rambler is an unusually prostrate grevillea, with a low-growing habit that can easily spread to cover large swathes of borders in a few short years. It's simple red stems pop out from chalky-green leaves with decorative and deeply lobed foliage. While they flower throughout the year, their dramatic clusters of red flowers, tipped with vivid yellow pollen, are most noticeable in winter and spring. | |
Grevillea Ned KellyAlso referred to as the Mason’s hybrid, the Ned Kelly cultivar offers subtle grey foliage with brilliant orange blooms which create a wonderful contrast for gardens. It’s best suited as a feature shrub or screening plant. | |
Prickly Spider Flower (Grevillea juniperina)Commonly known as the Juniper leaf or prickly spider flower, this variety is a low-maintenance, low-growing variety of the grevillea species. It’s nectar-rich flowers come in a variety of colours and offer a wonderful shelter for local bird life. Be sure to grow this cultivar in a sunny spot with plenty of well-draining soil. A sub-species of this juniperina is the Grevillea New Blood, which offers glorious deep-red blooms. | |
Grevillea Peaches and CreamHas a unique flowering habit and small narrow leaves which create a lovely texture year-round. Grevillea Peaches and Cream Growing Guide. | |
Grevillea IvanhoeThe ivanhoe is a hybrid of the longifolia and celery species with exciting and interesting toothed leaves – not often found on other grevillea species. It is prized as an attractive garden plant and best suited as hedging, screening or as a windbreak. | Source: Gardeningwithangus.com.au |
Weeping GrevilleaThis sun-loving variety is perfect for smaller gardens or as a feature plant. Although it’s a smaller tree it has a curious cascading growth habit, which creates an almost umbrella-like feature. Its blooms come in a variety of colours and have a non-invasive root system – perfect for pots or compact gardens. | Source: Weepers.com.au |
Olive Grevillea (Grevillea olivacea)This blooming shrub produces flowers in winter and spring in shades of red, yellow and orange. The leaves are an olive green colour. Grevillea olivacea likes a sunny spot and works well in the garden as a hedge or screen. It can grow up to a height of 4 metres. | |
Brown Silky Oak (Grevillea baileyana)Growing up to 10 metres in height, this Grevillea produces fragrant white/cream flowers and has brilliant green leaves tinged with bronze underneath. The tree is low maintenance, and can grow in sun or part shade. | Source: Wikipedia |
Grevillea Loopy LouThis small Grevillea produces lovely flowers all year round in shades of yellow, pink, green and orange. Growing to a height and spread of 1.5 metres, it works just as well in the garden as it does in a container. | |
Grevillea Royal MantleA low maintenance ground cover that has a generous spread of up to 6 metres and produces wine-red flowers and new leaf growth in a bronze shade. This Grevillea is fast growing and flat, working great on slopes and to help with erosion control. | Source: Shambhala Nursery |
Grevillea Coconut IceGrevillea Coconut Ice is a medium sized shrub and popular cultivar producing cream and pinkish flowers most of the year. It is much loved by local bird life, and can grow to a height and spread of up to 2 metres. Grevillea Coconut Ice will flower best in full sun, and requires well-draining soil. | Source: Native Plant Project |
Red Silky Oak (Grevillea banksii)Grevillea banksii is a well-known cultivar of Grevillea and is often selected as one of the parent plants to create new Grevillea hybrids. It is known either as a large shrub or small tree, reaching a height of up to 8 metres and a spread of 3 metres. The leaves are a green to silver colour and it produces large and beautiful flowers that are shades of red or pink, depending on the variety. | |
Grevillea MagnificaThis is a unique Grevillea that grows up to 4 metres tall and 2 metres wide. It features clusters of iridescent pink flower spikes that bloom from late winter to spring. It needs well-drained soil to thrive but is generally a low-maintenance addition to the garden. It will make for excellent colourful shrubbery outdoors and can even be grown in patio container gardens. | |
Grevillea LanigeraThis prized prostrate Grevillea features hot pink blooms, lush woolly foliage and a wonderfully spreading habit, perfect for use as an attractive groundcover or in mass plantings. It only reaches a maximum height of around 1.5 metres tall and prefers sunny positions in sandy to medium loam soil when cultivated in gardens. | Source: PlantMaster |
Grevillea SericeaBoasting massive clusters of pink spidery flowers throughout most of the year, it's easy to see why this Grevillea species is so adored. Amidst the nectar-rich blooms, you’ll find light green lance-shaped leaves that just add to this plant's already impressive characteristics. Be sure to plant in well-drained soils and position in a sunny spot and you’ll have a stunner of a shrub to elevate your garden. Growth is around 1 to 2 metres tall and wide. |
Dwarf Grevillea Varieties
Of course, some growers may not be looking for a large growing grevillea, but still hope to add the beautiful allure of the grevillea to their garden. Luckily, there are some fantastic dwarf grevillea varieties which offer an alternative.
Here are some of the most successful dwarf varieties to grow.
- Grevillea Lanigera Dwarf - This is a perfect choice for rockeries, native gardens or to simply grow in a pot. It has fine dark green foliage, and striking masses of cream and pink flowers which bloom over a long period. It requires little pruning and only the occasional fertiliser throughout the year.
- Grevillea ‘Pink Midget’ – This is a low-growing, long-flowering compact species perfectly suited to small gardens or container growing. It flowers best in a full-sun spot but can adapt to a semi-shaded spot.
- Grevillea ‘Lara Dwarf’ – Often only reaching 30 cm in height, the lara dwarf is a long spreading cultivar with rolled leaf edges and short branches. It produces creamy leaves with a light pink blush which bloom from April to October.
Grevilleas For Hedging
Many of the grevillea species are the perfect choice if looking for a flowering hedge. Varieties like the Rosmarinifolia and Ivanhoe are popular choices due to their dense growth habit and fuss-free care.
Grevilleas are known to be fast growers and vast spreaders, which make them a great choice if you want a quick-growing hedge. Plus, many need little additional watering after being established, so it won’t be a hedge you’ll have to continually worry about.
If you’re planning on using grevilleas for hedging, it is good to choose a variety which responds well to light pruning as this will help you maintain size and shape of your hedge throughout the year.
If you are looking for more hedging options, see our list of Australian natives perfect for hedging.
How to Grow Grevillea Plant
As with all plants, you need to start by selecting the right spot if you want the best results!
- Climate – As native plants, they tend to thrive in all climates across Australia. However, some varieties are more frost-tolerant than others, so be sure to check before you buy if you live in a colder area with winter frosts.
- Sunlight – These plants are sun-loving, so they require a position in full sun to semi-shade. The more shade the plant receives, the fewer flowers you’ll get, and growth may be stunted. Ideally, it should receive a half-day of sun at a minimum.
- Water – These are water-wise plants that thrive in the Australian climate, but they do need a bit of extra care in the first two years. They do best if watered regularly once or twice a week after planting (especially if it is very hot), but can manage on rainfall once they are well established.
- Soil – The soil needs to be well-draining or the roots will rot. Ideally, the soil should be loose and even sandy, with lots of well-rotted organic matter and mulch. If you have clay soil, start by mixing in plenty of gypsum, mulch and organic compost.
- Nutrients – Because it is a native plant, it requires little or no fertiliser, although a dose of a slow release low phosphorus fertiliser like a 13-2-13, a 14-0-14 or a native blend fertiliser every 2 months is recommended, especially in the first year of planting.
How to Prune Grevilleas?
Grevilleas respond well to light pruning after flowering season is over, and tip pruning during the flowering season can help encourage more blooms.
If the plant is looking a bit leggy and you want dense growth (for example, for a hedge or screen), then cut back by about one-third to stimulate thick, bushy growth.
Propagating Grevilleas
The best way to propagate Grevilleas is through cuttings, a method that has a much higher success rate than seeds. Here’s how:
- Using clean, sharp shears, take a cutting from hardened new growth of 7-10cm. This growth usually appears after the flowering season, from October to the following March. Make sure the cutting is in good condition and free of disease.
- Trim leaves off the lower end of the cutting without tearing or damaging the bark. Remove any young shoots or flowers.
- Dip into a rooting hormone.
- Plant into a low nutrient propagation soil mix. 1 part peat moss to 2 parts coarse sand works well. You can use soil that the parent plant is growing in.
- Mist the soil to keep it moist, and keep the pot away from direct sunlight in a warm, bright room.
- New roots should appear in 4-8 weeks, and you can plant it once new growth appears about 3-4 months after that.
- Try with several cuttings at once, as this gives you the best chance of success – the extra plants make great gifts!
Pests and Diseases
This is a very hardy shrub that is resistant to most pests and diseases, which is a great benefit of using native plants in your garden. The most common issue is insufficient sunlight and boggy, waterlogged soil.
On rare occasions, it may suffer from the following:
- Sooty mould – Also called blotch or black mould, this can be washed off with a weak, soapy solution, fungicide, eco-oil or neem oil.
This fungal issue is caused by mould spores feeding off the honeydew left by sap-sucking insects, so it’s important to treat any infestations of aphids or mealybugs quickly with an organic solution. - Phosphorus toxicity – These plants are very sensitive to phosphorus, and have evolved over time to use the very small, trace amounts of phosphorus in native soil.
If your fertiliser has too much phosphorus in it, it will start to burn the plant, causing yellowing on new growth and scorching on leaf edges.
Stop using that fertiliser on or anywhere near the Grevilleas plants, thoroughly soak the soil with water to leach remaining phosphorus out of the ground, and the plant should recover.
Grevilleas Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Best Fertiliser for Grevilleas?
Like other native plants, Grevilleas are very sensitive to phosphorus, so it is important that whatever fertiliser you use has 2% or less phosphorus. Look for an organic 13-2-13 or 14-0-14, or ask your local nursery for a native plant fertiliser.
Do Grevilleas Grow Fast?
Yes! They grow exceptionally quickly if they are positioned in the sunlight and supported with water and a low-phosphorus, native plant fertiliser in the first year. They are long-lived too, with many plants living 50-60 years.
There are many different varieties ranging from ground covers to screening shrubs and full trees, so check your variety first to see the full height and spread you can expect.
Do Grevilleas Have Invasive Roots?
No, these plants have a shallow root system, so they are not a threat to pipes, paving or walls. You can plant them as screening trees or shrubs without worrying that they will damage the structure with their root systems.
You should cover your bed with a good layer of mulch to keep these shallow root systems moist and healthy.
Can Grevilleas Be Grown in Pots?
Yes, but it has to be a compact variety. Be sure to look through the different cultivars and species to find one that is the right size for your container, and be sure to place your container in full sun to semi shade for the best flowers.
Use a well-draining potting soil with plenty of organic matter, feed regularly with a light dilution of low phosphorus fertiliser, and water when the top 2cm of soil is dry.
Can Grevilleas Grow in Clay Soil?
These plants generally don’t do too well in heavy clay soil, so it’s worth improving the soil before you plant. Add plenty of well-rotted organic matter, mulch and gypsum to improve the drainage, and break up dense clumps of soil to make it easier for the roots to grow.
Make Your Garden a Celebration of Native Plants with Beautiful Grevilleas!
Our team loves all plants, but indigenous Australian plants have a special place in our hearts, and Grevilleas are one of the best!
Easy to grow throughout the country, sun-loving, colourful and hardy, these plants shine in any setting, whether they’re being used as a ground cover, centrepiece, hedge, or screening shrub.
With their ability to flower for months through the winter and attract beautiful nectar-eating birds, it’s easy to see that every garden deserves its own Grevilleas!
I live in Los Angeles and have a 5 year old grevillea that is doing poorly.
Perhaps too much water this past spring.
Its green leaves have turned grey-brown.
Should I cut it back, or is it beyond saving?
Hi Jerry,
That sounds pretty severe, but it’s not impossible to save your grevillea. The most important thing to remember in this process is that you’ve got nothing to lose. If you can save it, great, and if you can’t, this advice will at least stop the spread of whatever’s caused it.
Most likely, the grevillea, like you say has been overwatered in spring. They’re really quite sensitive to that. If the entire plant is dropping leaves, or the leaves that are left are greyish, it’s usually a soil-borne fungus like cercospora, but it can also just be root rot or something simple like mildew (more likely if the leaves remained wet through the afternoons).
Firstly, cut off any damaged or discoloured leaves, back to a healthy section of stem, and either burn them or put them in a bin liner and discard in the trash. If that means cutting it right back to 2-3 foot tall, that’s fine. Then dig it up, and check the roots are ok. If they’re not, prune them back and shake off any smelly soil. Replant it in a pot, or back in the ground with new soil.
If it works, it should show signs of new growth after a few weeks. If it doesn’t, at least you’ve stopped the spread of whatever fungus caused it.
Best regards,
Nathan Schwartz