Small Fruited Hakea Plant Care

Hakea microcarpa R.Br.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Hakea microcarpa, commonly known as small-fruit hakea, is a flowering plant in the family Proteaceae and is endemic to eastern Australia. It is a spreading shrub, often growing in woodlands, heathlands and near swamps in montane areas of eastern Australia.

🌳Trees🌿Shrubs
Water

Every 7–14 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

50–85°F

Humidity

40–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Small Fruited Hakea?

Plant Small Fruited Hakea 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 50–85°F (10–29°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Small Fruited Hakea Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Small Fruited Hakea?

Small Fruited Hakea (Hakea microcarpa) belongs to the Proteaceae family within the Hakea genus. Small Fruited Hakea is native to eastern Australia. Small Fruited Hakea is also known as Small-fruited Hakea.

Small Fruited Hakea displays an upright, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. Small Fruited Hakea produces showy clusters of small, colorful flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Small Fruited Hakea?

Water a young or newly planted Small Fruited Hakea 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 Small Fruited Hakea Need?

Small Fruited Hakea thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Small Fruited Hakea Prefer?

Hakea microcarpa tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F. Small Fruited Hakea prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

50–85°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Small Fruited Hakea?

Well-draining sandy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Small Fruited Hakea to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Small Fruited Hakea?

Feed Small Fruited Hakea every 6 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 6 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 Small Fruited Hakea?

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

Small Fruited Hakea 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 Small Fruited Hakea?

Small Fruited Hakea 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 Small Fruited Hakea?

Prune Small Fruited Hakea 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 Small Fruited Hakea in Winter?

Small Fruited Hakea 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 Small Fruited Hakea?

Small Fruited Hakea can be propagated through seeds, cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to coastal hakea plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Small Fruited Hakea Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Small Fruited Hakea, 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 Small Fruited Hakea?

Small Fruited Hakea 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 Small Fruited Hakea Need?

Small Fruited Hakea grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Small Fruited Hakea is native to eastern Australia. In cooler regions, grow Small Fruited Hakea as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Small Fruited Hakea 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 Hakea genus — compare its care with other Hakea species on PlantoScan.

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

Small Fruited Hakea thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Hakea Species

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

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Hakea microcarpa R.Br., family Proteaceae (first published in Trans. Linn. Soc. London 10: 182 (1810)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Small Fruited Hakea, 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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