Flame bottlebrush Plant Care

Flame bottlebrush (Melaleuca flammea) belongs to the Myrtaceae family within the Melaleuca genus. Flame bottlebrush is native to New South Wales and Queensland in Australia.

Flame bottlebrush displays a tall, upright tree growth habit, reaching up to 20 ft tall with a spread of approximately 10 ft. Flame bottlebrush produces fluffy, bottlebrush-like spikes in white, cream, pink, or red.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Flame bottlebrush 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.

Flame bottlebrush thrives in full sun.

Melaleuca flammea tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F. Flame bottlebrush prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining sandy soil mix with added organic matter like compost. Good drainage is essential for Flame bottlebrush to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Flame bottlebrush 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.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun and well-draining sandy soil mix with added organic matter like compost. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Flame bottlebrush 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.

Flame bottlebrush can spread to about 10 ft (3 m) and reach about 20 ft (6 m) tall. Space plants about 10 ft (3 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.

Prune Flame bottlebrush 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.

Flame bottlebrush 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.

Flame bottlebrush can be propagated through seeds, cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to showy honey myrtle plant care, which shares the same genus.

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Flame bottlebrush is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, leaf-eating 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.

Flame bottlebrush grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Flame bottlebrush is native to New South Wales and Queensland in Australia. In cooler regions, grow Flame bottlebrush as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.