Willow-leaved Geijera Plant Care

Geijera salicifolia Schott

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Geijera salicifolia, commonly known as glasswood, green satinheart or scrub wilga, is a species of shrub or tree in the family Rutaceae and is native to Australia, New Guinea and New Caledonia. It has narrow elliptic to egg-shaped leaves, small white flowers in loose groups and oval to more or less spherical fruit, each containing a shiny black seed.

🌳Trees🌿Shrubs🍎Fruit & Berries
Water

Every 7–14 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

50–90°F

Humidity

40–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Willow-leaved Geijera?

Plant Willow-leaved Geijera in full sun to partial shade (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 8 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Willow-leaved Geijera Native To?

Native range4 countries

What Is the Willow-leaved Geijera?

Willow-leaved Geijera (Geijera salicifolia) belongs to the Rutaceae family within the Geijera genus. Willow-leaved Geijera is native to Australia, New Guinea and New Caledonia.

Willow-leaved Geijera displays a small to medium tree growth habit, reaching up to 20 ft tall with a spread of approximately 15 ft. Willow-leaved Geijera produces small white or cream flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Willow-leaved Geijera?

Water a young or newly planted Willow-leaved Geijera 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 Willow-leaved Geijera Need?

Willow-leaved Geijera thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Willow-leaved Geijera Prefer?

Geijera salicifolia tolerates temperatures of 50–90°F. Willow-leaved Geijera prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

50–90°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Willow-leaved Geijera?

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

How Often Should You Fertilize a Willow-leaved Geijera?

Feed Willow-leaved Geijera every 8 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 8 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 Willow-leaved Geijera?

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy loam with organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Willow-leaved Geijera 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 Willow-leaved Geijera?

Willow-leaved Geijera can spread to about 15 ft (4.6 m) and reach about 20 ft (6 m) tall. Space plants about 15 ft (4.6 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 tree spacing calculator.

How Do You Prune a Willow-leaved Geijera?

Prune Willow-leaved Geijera 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 Willow-leaved Geijera in Winter?

Willow-leaved Geijera 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 Willow-leaved Geijera?

Willow-leaved Geijera can be propagated through seeds, semi-hardwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to narrowleaf willow plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Willow-leaved Geijera Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Willow-leaved Geijera, 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 Willow-leaved Geijera?

Willow-leaved Geijera is susceptible to scale insects, citrus leafminer. 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 Willow-leaved Geijera Need?

Willow-leaved Geijera grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Willow-leaved Geijera is native to Australia, New Guinea and New Caledonia. In cooler regions, grow Willow-leaved Geijera as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Willow-leaved Geijera 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 Geijera genus — compare its care with other Geijera species on PlantoScan.

Geijera is part of the Rutaceae plant family — browse all Rutaceae genera and species.

Willow-leaved Geijera 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: Geijera salicifolia Schott, family Rutaceae (first published in Fragmenta Botanica, Rutaceae 1834) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Willow-leaved Geijera, 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 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.

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