How to Grow Bottlebrush

Bottlebrush plants are attractive shrubs or small trees with brush-like flowers in shades of cream, yellow, pink or red that appear in spring and early summer. These plants are easy care and great for attracting bees and nectar feeding birds to the garden.

Full sun to half shade

Regular watering initially, dry tolerant once established

Can tolerate most soil types, very tolerant of salty soils

All year, appropriate for all climates except the coldest regions

How to Grow Bottlebrush in a Garden

Step 1

Choose a place in the garden that gets full sun or half shade. Prepare the planting area well by digging in Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser.

Step 2

Dig the planting hole twice as wide and to the same depth as the root-ball. Remove the plant from the container, gently tease the roots.

Step 3

Position in hole and backfill with soil, gently firming down. Form a raised or doughnut shaped ring of soil around the outer edge of the plant's root zone. This helps keep water where it's needed. Always water in well after planting to settle the soil around the roots and keep the soil moist for several weeks while the new plant establishes.

Step 4

Mulch around the base with organic mulch like sugarcane or woodchip, keeping it away from the trunk.

Step 5

Feed in autumn and spring with Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser to promote strong root development, healthy foliage growth and lots of beautiful flowers.

How to Grow Bottlebrush in a Pot

Best suited for the dwarf cultivars and varieties

Step 1

Choose a pot that is at least 400mm in diameter. Position in the garden that receives full sun to half shade.

Step 2

Fill the pot with quality potting mix, such as Yates Potting Mix with Dynamic Lifter.

Step 3

Remove the plant from the container, gently tease the roots and cut away any circled or tangled roots.

Step 4

Position in hole and backfill with potting mix, gently firming down. Water in well.

Step 5

Mulch around the base with organic mulch like sugarcane or woodchip, keeping it away from the trunk.

Step 6

Feed in autumn and spring with Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser to promote strong root development, healthy foliage growth and lots of beautiful flowers.

Bottlebrush Growing Tips

Give the bush a light prune back after flowering to To promote more compact growth and help keep the bottlebrush looking tidy.
The bush can be grown as a hedge or a screen and can tolerate regular and hard pruning.
Can be easily propagated by cuttings.
Bottlebrush have very dense and matting roots that help them find water and withstand drought. This can make their roots a bit of an issue when it comes to plumbing including stormwater, sewerage and water mains. Before purchasing a Bottlebrush check the plant label, see how tall it grows, and choose a variety that’s suitable for the space as some can grow into large trees. For trees growing taller than 2 m, plant at least 4-6 metres away from these services.
Most popular varieties include:
- Little John Bottlebrush (Callistemon viminalis "Little John"), Height 1 metre, Width 1 metre.
- Crimson bottlebrush (Callistemon citrinus), Height 3 metres, Width 2 metres
- White bottlebrush or pink tips (C. Salignus), Height 5-6 metres, Width 2 metres
- Weeping bottlebrush (C. Viminalis), Height 6 metres, Width 5 metres