New Zealand Christmas Tree Plant Care
Garnotia cheesemanii Hack.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This plant is distinguished by its striking orange-red tubular flowers that bloom in clusters on long stems. Originating from New Zealand, Garnotia cheesemanii is highly sought after by plant collectors for its unique and vibrant floral display, adding a pop of color to any garden or indoor space.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–80°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for New Zealand Christmas Tree?
Water New Zealand Christmas Tree every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 2 months during the growing season.
Where Is the New Zealand Christmas Tree Native To?
What Is the New Zealand Christmas Tree?
New Zealand Christmas Tree (Garnotia cheesemanii) belongs to the Poaceae family within the Garnotia genus. New Zealand Christmas Tree is native to the island of Rarotonga in the Cook Islands in the South Pacific. New Zealand Christmas Tree is also known as Metrosideros excelsa.
New Zealand Christmas Tree displays a clumping grass growth habit, reaching up to 60 ft tall with a spread of approximately 30 ft. New Zealand Christmas Tree produces small inconspicuous flowers in spikelets.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a New Zealand Christmas Tree?
Garnotia cheesemanii requires watering every 7–14 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the New Zealand Christmas Tree Need?
New Zealand Christmas Tree thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the New Zealand Christmas Tree Prefer?
Garnotia cheesemanii grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. New Zealand Christmas Tree prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a New Zealand Christmas Tree?
Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for New Zealand Christmas Tree to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a New Zealand Christmas Tree?
Feed New Zealand Christmas Tree every 2 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 2 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a New Zealand Christmas Tree?
Divide and repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a New Zealand Christmas Tree?
New Zealand Christmas Tree can be propagated through division, seeds.
Is the New Zealand Christmas Tree Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list New Zealand Christmas Tree, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
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 New Zealand Christmas Tree?
New Zealand Christmas Tree is susceptible to aphids, grasshoppers, cutworms. 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 New Zealand Christmas Tree Need?
New Zealand Christmas Tree grows outdoors in USDA Zone 11a – 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 11a. New Zealand Christmas Tree is native to the island of Rarotonga in the Cook Islands in the South Pacific. In cooler regions, grow New Zealand Christmas Tree as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 11a – 12b
Keep exploring plants
New Zealand Christmas Tree 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 Garnotia genus — compare its care with other Garnotia species on PlantoScan.
Garnotia is part of the Poaceae plant family — browse all Poaceae genera and species.
New Zealand Christmas Tree thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Garnotia cheesemanii Hack., family Poaceae (first published in Trans. Linn. Soc. London, Bot. 6: 303 (1903)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list New Zealand Christmas Tree, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 11a – 12b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- 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.
Identify Plants Like the
New Zealand Christmas Tree Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species