Jacob's Bloodwood Plant Care
Corymbia jacobsiana (Blakely) K.D.Hill & L.A.S.Johnson
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Corymbia jacobsiana, commonly known as Jacob's bloodwood or stringybark bloodwood, is a species of tree that is endemic to the Northern Territory. It has rough, stringy bark on the trunk and branches, lance-shaped to elliptical or curved adult leaves, flower buds in groups of three or seven, creamy white flowers and urn-shaped fruit.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun
50–90°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Jacob's Bloodwood?
Plant Jacob's 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 Jacob's Bloodwood Native To?
What Is the Jacob's Bloodwood?
Jacob's Bloodwood (Corymbia jacobsiana) belongs to the Myrtaceae family within the Corymbia genus. Jacob's Bloodwood is native to the Northern Territory. Jacob's Bloodwood is also known as Bloodwood.
Jacob's Bloodwood displays a tall, upright tree growth habit, reaching up to 50 ft tall with a spread of approximately 20 ft. Jacob's Bloodwood produces showy clusters of white, pink, or red flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Jacob's Bloodwood?
Water a young or newly planted Jacob's 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 Jacob's Bloodwood Need?
Jacob's Bloodwood thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Jacob's Bloodwood Prefer?
Corymbia jacobsiana tolerates temperatures of 50–90°F. Jacob's Bloodwood prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–90°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Jacob's Bloodwood?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Jacob's Bloodwood to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Jacob's Bloodwood?
Feed Jacob's 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 Jacob's 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.
Jacob's 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 Jacob's Bloodwood?
Jacob's 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 Jacob's Bloodwood?
Prune Jacob's 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 Jacob's Bloodwood in Winter?
Jacob's 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 Jacob's Bloodwood?
Jacob's Bloodwood can be propagated through seeds, cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to ghost gum plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Jacob's 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 Jacob's Bloodwood?
Jacob's 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 Jacob's Bloodwood Need?
Jacob's Bloodwood grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Jacob's Bloodwood is native to the Northern Territory. In cooler regions, grow Jacob's Bloodwood as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Jacob's 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.
Jacob's 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 jacobsiana (Blakely) K.D.Hill & L.A.S.Johnson, family Myrtaceae (first published in Telopea 6: 225 (1995)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Jacob's 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.
