Elegant Grass Tree Plant Care

Elegant Grass Tree (Dracophyllum elegantissimum) belongs to the Ericaceae family within the Dracophyllum genus. Elegant Grass Tree is native to the north of the South Island, in north-west Nelson.

Elegant Grass Tree displays a compact, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Elegant Grass Tree produces small, bell-shaped white or pink flowers in terminal clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Elegant Grass Tree every 7–14 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.

Elegant Grass Tree thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Dracophyllum elegantissimum tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Elegant Grass Tree prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining acidic soil mix with peat moss and perlite. Good drainage is essential for Elegant Grass Tree to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Elegant Grass Tree 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 acidic soil mix with peat moss and perlite. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Elegant Grass Tree 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.

Elegant Grass Tree 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 Elegant Grass Tree 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.

Elegant Grass Tree 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.

Elegant Grass Tree can be propagated through seeds, division of offsets. Similar propagation techniques also apply to fiordland dragonwood plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Elegant Grass Tree 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.

Elegant Grass Tree grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Elegant Grass Tree is native to the north of the South Island, in north-west Nelson. In cooler regions, grow Elegant Grass Tree as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.