Hazelwood Plant Care
Commersonia corylifolia (Graham) C.F.Wilkins & Whitlock
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Commersonia corylifolia, commonly known as hazel-leaved rulingia, is a species of flowering plant in the family Malvaceae and endemic to the southwest of Western Australia. It is a spreading, erect shrub with egg-shaped to narrowly egg-shaped leaves, and white to cream-coloured flowers.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
55–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Hazelwood?
Plant Hazelwood in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 12b) and water a young shrub every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 55–80°F (13–27°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Hazelwood Native To?
What Is the Hazelwood?
Hazelwood (Commersonia corylifolia) belongs to the Malvaceae family within the Commersonia genus. Hazelwood is native to the southwest of Western Australia.
Hazelwood displays a small to medium-sized shrub growth habit, reaching up to 4 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Hazelwood produces small, delicate flowers in shades of pink, white, or purple.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Hazelwood?
Water a young or newly planted Hazelwood 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 Hazelwood Need?
Hazelwood thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Hazelwood Prefer?
Commersonia corylifolia tolerates temperatures of 55–80°F. Hazelwood prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
55–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Hazelwood?
Well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Hazelwood to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Hazelwood?
Feed Hazelwood 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 Hazelwood?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Hazelwood is suited to USDA Zone 12b.
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 Hazelwood?
Hazelwood can spread to about 3 ft (0.9 m) and reach about 4 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 Hazelwood?
Prune Hazelwood 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 Hazelwood in Winter?
Hazelwood 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 Hazelwood?
Hazelwood can be propagated through seeds, softwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to commersonia amystia plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Hazelwood Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Hazelwood, 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 Hazelwood?
Hazelwood 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 Hazelwood Need?
Hazelwood grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 12b. Hazelwood is native to the southwest of Western Australia. In cooler regions, grow Hazelwood as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12b
Keep exploring plants
Hazelwood 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 Commersonia genus — compare its care with other Commersonia species on PlantoScan.
Commersonia is part of the Malvaceae plant family — browse all Malvaceae genera and species.
Hazelwood thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Commersonia Species
Other Commersonia species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Commersonia corylifolia (Graham) C.F.Wilkins & Whitlock, family Malvaceae (first published in Austral. Syst. Bot. 24: 247 (2011)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Hazelwood, 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 12b, 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.
