Leucadendron bonum Plant Care

Leucadendron bonum I.Williams

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Leucadendron bonum, the Gideonskop conebush, is a flower-bearing shrub that belongs to the genus Leucadendron and forms part of the fynbos. The plant is native to the Western Cape, South Africa.

🌳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 Leucadendron bonum?

Plant Leucadendron bonum 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 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Leucadendron bonum Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Leucadendron bonum?

Leucadendron bonum (Leucadendron bonum) belongs to the Proteaceae family within the Leucadendron genus. Leucadendron bonum is native to the Western Cape, South Africa.

Leucadendron bonum displays an upright, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. Leucadendron bonum produces small colorful bracts surrounding the flower head.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Leucadendron bonum?

Water a young or newly planted Leucadendron bonum 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 Leucadendron bonum Need?

Leucadendron bonum thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Leucadendron bonum Prefer?

Leucadendron bonum tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Leucadendron bonum prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

50–80°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Leucadendron bonum?

Well-draining acidic soil mix with added sand and perlite. Good drainage is essential for Leucadendron bonum to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Leucadendron bonum?

Feed Leucadendron bonum 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 Leucadendron bonum?

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining acidic soil mix with added sand and perlite. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Leucadendron bonum 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 Leucadendron bonum?

Leucadendron bonum 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 Leucadendron bonum?

Prune Leucadendron bonum 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 Leucadendron bonum in Winter?

Leucadendron bonum 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 Leucadendron bonum?

Leucadendron bonum can be propagated through seeds, cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to galpin's leucadendron plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Leucadendron bonum Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Leucadendron bonum, 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 Leucadendron bonum?

Leucadendron bonum is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, scale insects. 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 Leucadendron bonum Need?

Leucadendron bonum grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Leucadendron bonum is native to the Western Cape, South Africa. In cooler regions, grow Leucadendron bonum as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Leucadendron bonum 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 Leucadendron genus — compare its care with other Leucadendron species on PlantoScan.

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

Leucadendron bonum thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Leucadendron Species

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

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Leucadendron bonum I.Williams, family Proteaceae (first published in J. S. African Bot. 33: 146 (1967)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Leucadendron bonum, 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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