Camphor Bush Plant Care
Babingtonia camphorosmae Lindl.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Babingtonia camphorosmae, commonly known as camphor myrtle, is a species of flowering plant in the family Myrtaceae and is endemic to the southwest of Western Australia. It is a prostrate to low-growing shrub with linear to thread-like leaves and white or pink flowers in groups of up to five, each flower with ten to thirteen stamens.
Full sun to partial shade
At a glance
How do you care for Camphor Bush?
Plant Camphor Bush in full sun to partial shade.
Where Is the Camphor Bush Native To?
What Is the Camphor Bush?
Camphor Bush (Babingtonia camphorosmae) belongs to the Myrtaceae family within the Babingtonia genus. Camphor Bush is native to the southwest of Western Australia.
Camphor Bush displays an upright, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Camphor Bush produces small white or pink fragrant flowers in clusters.
What Light Does the Camphor Bush Need?
Camphor Bush thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Camphor Bush?
Well-draining acidic soil mix with peat moss and pine bark. Good drainage is essential for Camphor Bush to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
Where Should You Plant a Camphor Bush?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining acidic soil mix with peat moss and pine bark. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.
How Do You Prune a Camphor Bush?
Prune Camphor Bush while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.
If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.
How Do You Care for a Camphor Bush in Winter?
Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.
Young and container-grown shrubs need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.
How Do You Propagate a Camphor Bush?
Camphor Bush can be propagated through softwood cuttings, seeds.
Is the Camphor Bush Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Camphor Bush, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Camphor Bush?
Camphor Bush is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, caterpillars. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
Keep exploring plants
Camphor Bush is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Babingtonia genus — compare its care with other Babingtonia species on PlantoScan.
Babingtonia is part of the Myrtaceae plant family — browse all Myrtaceae genera and species.
Camphor Bush thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Babingtonia camphorosmae Lindl., family Myrtaceae (first published in Edwards's Bot. Reg. 28: t. 10 (1842)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Camphor Bush, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
Identify Plants Like the
Camphor Bush Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species