Sandstone Bloodwood Plant Care

Corymbia arenaria (Blakely) K.D.Hill & L.A.S.Johnson

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Corymbia arenaria, commonly known as bundah bundah or black bloodwood, is a species of tree that is endemic to the northern Kimberley region of Western Australia. It has rough bark on the trunk and branches, lance-shaped to curved adult leaves, flower buds in groups of seven, white flower and spherical urn-shaped fruit.

🌳Trees🌿Shrubs
Water

Every 7–14 days

Light

Full sun

Temp

50–90°F

Humidity

40–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Sandstone Bloodwood?

Plant Sandstone Bloodwood in full sun (USDA zones 12a) and water a young tree every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–90°F (10–32°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.

Where Is the Sandstone Bloodwood Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Sandstone Bloodwood?

Sandstone Bloodwood (Corymbia arenaria) belongs to the Myrtaceae family within the Corymbia genus. Sandstone Bloodwood is native to the northern Kimberley region of Western Australia. Sandstone Bloodwood is also known as Bloodwood.

Sandstone Bloodwood displays a tall, upright tree growth habit, reaching up to 50 ft tall with a spread of approximately 20 ft. Sandstone Bloodwood produces showy clusters of white, pink, or red flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Sandstone Bloodwood?

Water a young or newly planted Sandstone Bloodwood 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 Sandstone Bloodwood Need?

Sandstone Bloodwood thrives in full sun.

Light Requirement

Full sun

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Sandstone Bloodwood Prefer?

Corymbia arenaria tolerates temperatures of 50–90°F. Sandstone Bloodwood prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

50–90°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Sandstone Bloodwood?

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Sandstone Bloodwood to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Sandstone Bloodwood?

Feed Sandstone Bloodwood every 6 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 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 Sandstone Bloodwood?

Choose a spot with full sun and well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Sandstone Bloodwood 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 Sandstone Bloodwood?

Sandstone Bloodwood can spread to about 20 ft (6.1 m) and reach about 50 ft (15 m) tall. Space plants about 20 ft (6.1 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 Sandstone Bloodwood?

Prune Sandstone Bloodwood 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 Sandstone Bloodwood in Winter?

Sandstone Bloodwood 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 Sandstone Bloodwood?

Sandstone Bloodwood can be propagated through seeds, cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to ghost gum plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Sandstone Bloodwood Toxic to Pets and Children?

Toxic (caution)

Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.

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 Sandstone Bloodwood?

Sandstone Bloodwood is susceptible to lerp psyllids, borers, 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 Sandstone Bloodwood Need?

Sandstone Bloodwood grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Sandstone Bloodwood is native to the northern Kimberley region of Western Australia. In cooler regions, grow Sandstone Bloodwood as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Sandstone Bloodwood 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 Corymbia genus — compare its care with other Corymbia species on PlantoScan.

Corymbia is part of the Myrtaceae plant family — browse all Myrtaceae genera and species.

Sandstone Bloodwood thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Corymbia Species

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

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Corymbia arenaria (Blakely) K.D.Hill & L.A.S.Johnson, family Myrtaceae (first published in Telopea 6: 274 (1995)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Sandstone Bloodwood is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. 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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