Ivory Curl Flower Plant Care

Buckinghamia ferruginiflora Foreman & B.Hyland

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Buckinghamia ferruginiflora, also known as Noah's oak or spotted oak, is a species of rainforest tree in the protea family, one of two in the genus that is endemic to the Wet Tropics of Queensland, north-eastern Australia. Although the tree's differences from its congener had been known since the 1970s, it was only formally described by Donald Foreman and Bernard Hyland in 1988 in the journal Muelleria.

🌳Trees🌿Shrubs
Water

Every 7–14 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

50–85°F

Humidity

40–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Ivory Curl Flower?

Plant Ivory Curl Flower in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young tree every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F (10–29°C). Fertilize it every 8 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Ivory Curl Flower Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Ivory Curl Flower?

Ivory Curl Flower (Buckinghamia ferruginiflora) belongs to the Proteaceae family within the Buckinghamia genus. Ivory Curl Flower is native to the Wet Tropics of Queensland, north-eastern Australia. Ivory Curl Flower is also known as Ivory Curl.

Ivory Curl Flower displays a tall, upright tree growth habit, reaching up to 30 ft tall with a spread of approximately 15 ft. Ivory Curl Flower produces showy clusters of cream-colored flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 8 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Ivory Curl Flower?

Water a young or newly planted Ivory Curl Flower every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Watering Frequency

Every 7–14 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Ivory Curl Flower Need?

Ivory Curl Flower thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Ivory Curl Flower Prefer?

Buckinghamia ferruginiflora tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F. Ivory Curl Flower prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

50–85°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Ivory Curl Flower?

Well-draining acidic soil mix with added organic matter like peat moss and pine bark. Good drainage is essential for Ivory Curl Flower to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Ivory Curl Flower?

Feed Ivory Curl Flower every 8 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees 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 8 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 Ivory Curl Flower?

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining acidic soil mix with added organic matter like peat moss and pine bark. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Ivory Curl Flower is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Ivory Curl Flower?

Ivory Curl Flower can spread to about 15 ft (4.6 m) and reach about 30 ft (9 m) tall. Space plants about 15 ft (4.6 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 tree spacing calculator.

How Do You Prune a Ivory Curl Flower?

Prune Ivory Curl Flower 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 tree in one year.

How Do You Care for a Ivory Curl Flower in Winter?

Ivory Curl Flower 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 Ivory Curl Flower?

Ivory Curl Flower can be propagated through seeds, cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to ivory curl flower plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Ivory Curl Flower Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Ivory Curl Flower, 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 Ivory Curl Flower?

Ivory Curl Flower is susceptible to aphids, scale insects. 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 Ivory Curl Flower Need?

Ivory Curl Flower grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Ivory Curl Flower is native to the Wet Tropics of Queensland, north-eastern Australia. In cooler regions, grow Ivory Curl Flower as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Ivory Curl Flower 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 Buckinghamia genus — compare its care with other Buckinghamia species on PlantoScan.

Buckinghamia is part of the Proteaceae plant family — browse all Proteaceae genera and species.

Ivory Curl Flower 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: Buckinghamia ferruginiflora Foreman & B.Hyland, family Proteaceae (first published in Muelleria 6: 417 (1988)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Ivory Curl Flower, 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.

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