Smooth-leaf Grevillea Plant Care

Grevillea leiophylla F.Muell. ex Benth.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Grevillea leiophylla, commonly known as wallum grevillea, or dwarf spider oak, is a species of flowering plant in the family Proteaceae and is endemic to Queensland. It is a weakly erect to low-lying shrub with narrowly oblong to egg-shaped or more or less linear leaves, and clusters of pale to deep pink flowers.

🌳Trees🌿Shrubs
Water

Every 7–14 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

50–80°F

Humidity

40–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Smooth-leaf Grevillea?

Plant Smooth-leaf Grevillea 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 50–80°F (10–27°C). Fertilize it every 8 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Smooth-leaf Grevillea Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Smooth-leaf Grevillea?

Smooth-leaf Grevillea (Grevillea leiophylla) belongs to the Proteaceae family within the Grevillea genus. Smooth-leaf Grevillea is native to Queensland.

Smooth-leaf Grevillea displays an upright, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. Smooth-leaf Grevillea produces showy clusters of red, pink, or white flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Smooth-leaf Grevillea?

Water a young or newly planted Smooth-leaf Grevillea 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 Smooth-leaf Grevillea Need?

Smooth-leaf Grevillea thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Smooth-leaf Grevillea Prefer?

Grevillea leiophylla tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Smooth-leaf Grevillea prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

50–80°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Smooth-leaf Grevillea?

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

How Often Should You Fertilize a Smooth-leaf Grevillea?

Feed Smooth-leaf Grevillea 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 Smooth-leaf Grevillea?

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.

Smooth-leaf Grevillea 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 Smooth-leaf Grevillea?

Smooth-leaf Grevillea can spread to about 4 ft (1.2 m) and reach about 6 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 4 ft (1.2 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 Smooth-leaf Grevillea?

Prune Smooth-leaf Grevillea 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 Smooth-leaf Grevillea in Winter?

Smooth-leaf Grevillea 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 Smooth-leaf Grevillea?

Smooth-leaf Grevillea can be propagated through seeds, cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to acacia grevillea plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Smooth-leaf Grevillea Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Smooth-leaf Grevillea, 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 Smooth-leaf Grevillea?

Smooth-leaf Grevillea is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, caterpillars. 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 Smooth-leaf Grevillea Need?

Smooth-leaf Grevillea grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Smooth-leaf Grevillea is native to Queensland. In cooler regions, grow Smooth-leaf Grevillea as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Smooth-leaf Grevillea 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 Grevillea genus — compare its care with other Grevillea species on PlantoScan.

Grevillea is part of the Proteaceae plant family — browse all Proteaceae genera and species.

Smooth-leaf Grevillea thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Grevillea Species

Other Grevillea species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Grevillea leiophylla F.Muell. ex Benth., family Proteaceae (first published in Fl. Austral. 5: 471 (1870)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Smooth-leaf Grevillea, 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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