Royal bluebell Plant Care

Royal bluebell (Guichenotia sarotes) belongs to the Malvaceae family within the Guichenotia genus. Royal bluebell is native to the southwest of Western Australia. Royal bluebell is also known as Blue tinsel lily.

Royal bluebell displays a low, spreading shrub growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Royal bluebell produces showy tubular flowers in shades of pink, purple, or white.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Royal bluebell every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Royal bluebell thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Guichenotia sarotes tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F. Royal bluebell prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

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

Feed Royal bluebell every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs 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.

Royal bluebell is suited to USDA Zone 9a – 11a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Royal bluebell can spread to about 3 ft (0.9 m) and reach about 2 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 3 ft (0.9 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 plant spacing calculator.

Prune Royal bluebell 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 shrub in one year.

Royal bluebell is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 9). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Royal bluebell can be propagated through seeds, softwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to finger flower plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Royal bluebell is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. 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.

Royal bluebell grows outdoors in USDA Zone 9a – 11a. It survives winters down to planting zone 9a. Royal bluebell is native to the southwest of Western Australia. In cooler regions, grow Royal bluebell as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.