Small-flower Smokebush Plant Care

Conospermum microflorum E.M.Benn.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Conospermum microflorum is a species of flowering plant in the family Proteaceae and is endemic to Western Australia. It is a rounded shrub with glabrous, thread-like leaves, panicles of hairy, white or cream-coloured flowers and hairy, orange-brown nuts.

🌳Trees🌿Shrubs
Water

Every 7–10 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

50–80°F

Humidity

40–60%

At a glance

How do you care for Small-flower Smokebush?

Plant Small-flower Smokebush 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 Small-flower Smokebush Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Small-flower Smokebush?

Small-flower Smokebush (Conospermum microflorum) belongs to the Proteaceae family within the Conospermum genus. Small-flower Smokebush is native to Western Australia.

Small-flower Smokebush displays an upright, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Small-flower Smokebush produces small, tubular flowers in shades of white, pink, or purple.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Small-flower Smokebush?

Water a young or newly planted Small-flower Smokebush 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 Small-flower Smokebush Need?

Small-flower Smokebush thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Small-flower Smokebush Prefer?

Conospermum microflorum tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Small-flower Smokebush prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Temperature

50–80°F

Humidity

40–60%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Small-flower Smokebush?

Well-draining sandy soil with added organic matter for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Small-flower Smokebush to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Small-flower Smokebush?

Feed Small-flower Smokebush 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 Small-flower Smokebush?

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy soil with added organic matter for nutrients. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Small-flower Smokebush 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 Small-flower Smokebush?

Small-flower Smokebush can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 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 plant spacing calculator.

How Do You Prune a Small-flower Smokebush?

Prune Small-flower Smokebush 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 Small-flower Smokebush in Winter?

Small-flower Smokebush 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 Small-flower Smokebush?

Small-flower Smokebush can be propagated through seeds, cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to smokebush plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Small-flower Smokebush Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Small-flower Smokebush, 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 Small-flower Smokebush?

Small-flower Smokebush is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, 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 Small-flower Smokebush Need?

Small-flower Smokebush grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Small-flower Smokebush is native to Western Australia. In cooler regions, grow Small-flower Smokebush as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Small-flower Smokebush 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 Conospermum genus — compare its care with other Conospermum species on PlantoScan.

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

Small-flower Smokebush thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Conospermum Species

Other Conospermum species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Conospermum microflorum E.M.Benn., family Proteaceae (first published in Fl. Australia 16: 485 (1995)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Small-flower Smokebush, 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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