Four-tailed Grevillea Plant Care
Grevillea quadricauda Olde & Marriott
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Grevillea quadricauda, commonly known as four-tailed grevillea, is a species of flowering plant in the family Proteaceae and is endemic to eastern Australia. It is an erect, dense, bushy shrub with narrowly egg-shaped to elliptic leaves and small, loose clusters of green and pinkish-red flowers.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Four-tailed Grevillea?
Plant Four-tailed 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 Four-tailed Grevillea Native To?
What Is the Four-tailed Grevillea?
Four-tailed Grevillea (Grevillea quadricauda) belongs to the Proteaceae family within the Grevillea genus. Four-tailed Grevillea is native to eastern Australia.
Four-tailed Grevillea displays an upright, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. Four-tailed Grevillea produces showy clusters of red, pink, or white flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Four-tailed Grevillea?
Water a young or newly planted Four-tailed 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 Four-tailed Grevillea Need?
Four-tailed Grevillea thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Four-tailed Grevillea Prefer?
Grevillea quadricauda tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Four-tailed Grevillea prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Four-tailed Grevillea?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Four-tailed Grevillea to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Four-tailed Grevillea?
Feed Four-tailed 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 Four-tailed 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.
Four-tailed 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 Four-tailed Grevillea?
Four-tailed 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 Four-tailed Grevillea?
Prune Four-tailed 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 Four-tailed Grevillea in Winter?
Four-tailed 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 Four-tailed Grevillea?
Four-tailed Grevillea can be propagated through seeds, cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to acacia grevillea plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Four-tailed Grevillea Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Four-tailed 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 Four-tailed Grevillea?
Four-tailed 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 Four-tailed Grevillea Need?
Four-tailed Grevillea grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Four-tailed Grevillea is native to eastern Australia. In cooler regions, grow Four-tailed Grevillea as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Four-tailed 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.
Four-tailed 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 quadricauda Olde & Marriott, family Proteaceae (first published in Telopea 5: 722 (1994)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Four-tailed 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.
