Needle-leaf Darwinia Plant Care

Needle-leaf Darwinia (Darwinia acerosa) belongs to the Myrtaceae family within the Darwinia genus. Needle-leaf Darwinia is native to a small area in south-west of Western Australia.

Needle-leaf Darwinia displays an upright, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Needle-leaf Darwinia produces small tubular flowers in shades of red, pink, or white.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Needle-leaf Darwinia 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.

Needle-leaf Darwinia thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Darwinia acerosa tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. Needle-leaf Darwinia prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Well-draining sandy soil mix with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Needle-leaf Darwinia to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Needle-leaf Darwinia 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.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

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

Needle-leaf Darwinia is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

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.

Needle-leaf Darwinia 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.

Prune Needle-leaf Darwinia 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.

Needle-leaf Darwinia is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Needle-leaf Darwinia can be propagated through softwood cuttings, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to dwarf bell plant care, which shares the same genus.

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Needle-leaf Darwinia 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.

Needle-leaf Darwinia grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Needle-leaf Darwinia is native to a small area in south-west of Western Australia. In cooler regions, grow Needle-leaf Darwinia as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.