Narrow-leaved Baeckea Plant Care
Baeckea linifolia Rudge
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Baeckea linifolia, commonly known as swamp baeckea, weeping baeckea or flax-leaf heath myrtle, is a species of flowering plant in the family Myrtaceae and is endemic to eastern Australia. It is an erect shrub with linear leaves and small white flowers with eight to fifteen stamens.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Narrow-leaved Baeckea?
Plant Narrow-leaved Baeckea in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Narrow-leaved Baeckea Native To?
What Is the Narrow-leaved Baeckea?
Narrow-leaved Baeckea (Baeckea linifolia) belongs to the Myrtaceae family within the Baeckea genus. Narrow-leaved Baeckea is native to eastern Australia.
Narrow-leaved Baeckea displays a compact, low-growing shrub growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Narrow-leaved Baeckea produces small white or pink flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 1.5 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Narrow-leaved Baeckea?
Water a young or newly planted Narrow-leaved Baeckea every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Narrow-leaved Baeckea Need?
Narrow-leaved Baeckea thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Narrow-leaved Baeckea Prefer?
Baeckea linifolia tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Narrow-leaved Baeckea prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Narrow-leaved Baeckea?
Well-draining acidic soil mix with peat moss and perlite. Good drainage is essential for Narrow-leaved Baeckea to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Narrow-leaved Baeckea?
Feed Narrow-leaved Baeckea every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.
Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
Where Should You Plant a Narrow-leaved Baeckea?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining acidic soil mix with peat moss and perlite. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Narrow-leaved Baeckea is suited to USDA Zone 12a.
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 Far Apart Should You Plant a Narrow-leaved Baeckea?
Narrow-leaved Baeckea can spread to about 3 ft (0.9 m) and reach about 2 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 3 ft (0.9 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.
Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.
How Do You Prune a Narrow-leaved Baeckea?
Prune Narrow-leaved Baeckea 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 Narrow-leaved Baeckea in Winter?
Narrow-leaved Baeckea is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.
How Do You Propagate a Narrow-leaved Baeckea?
Narrow-leaved Baeckea can be propagated through softwood cuttings, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to chinese rosemary plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Narrow-leaved Baeckea Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Narrow-leaved Baeckea, 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 Narrow-leaved Baeckea?
Narrow-leaved Baeckea is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, spider mites. 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.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Narrow-leaved Baeckea Need?
Narrow-leaved Baeckea grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Narrow-leaved Baeckea is native to eastern Australia. In cooler regions, grow Narrow-leaved Baeckea as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Narrow-leaved Baeckea 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 Baeckea genus — compare its care with other Baeckea species on PlantoScan.
Baeckea is part of the Myrtaceae plant family — browse all Myrtaceae genera and species.
Narrow-leaved Baeckea thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Baeckea Species
Other Baeckea species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Baeckea linifolia Rudge, family Myrtaceae (first published in Trans. Linn. Soc. London 8: 297 (1807)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Narrow-leaved Baeckea, 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.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- 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.
