Queensland Firewheel Plant Care

Queensland Firewheel (Fontainea picrosperma) belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family within the Fontainea genus. Queensland Firewheel is native to Queensland in Australia.

Queensland Firewheel displays a small tree, spreading canopy growth habit, reaching up to 15 ft tall with a spread of approximately 10 ft. Queensland Firewheel produces small greenish-yellow flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Queensland Firewheel 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.

Queensland Firewheel thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Fontainea picrosperma tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Queensland Firewheel prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

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

Feed Queensland Firewheel 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.

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 loam with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Queensland Firewheel is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

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.

Queensland Firewheel can spread to about 10 ft (3 m) and reach about 15 ft (5 m) tall. Space plants about 10 ft (3 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.

Prune Queensland Firewheel 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.

Queensland Firewheel 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.

Queensland Firewheel can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to fontainea australis plant care, which shares the same genus.

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Queensland Firewheel 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.

Queensland Firewheel grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Queensland Firewheel is native to Queensland in Australia. In cooler regions, grow Queensland Firewheel as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.