New Zealand Christmas Tree Plant Care

New Zealand Christmas Tree (Metrosideros excelsa) belongs to the Myrtaceae family within the Metrosideros genus. New Zealand Christmas Tree is native to New Zealand. New Zealand Christmas Tree is also known as Pohutukawa, Rata.

New Zealand Christmas Tree displays a tall, upright tree growth habit, reaching up to 30 ft tall with a spread of approximately 15 ft. New Zealand Christmas Tree produces showy clusters of red, orange, or yellow flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted New Zealand Christmas Tree 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.

New Zealand Christmas Tree thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Metrosideros excelsa tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F. New Zealand Christmas Tree prefers humidity levels of 50–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Well-draining acidic soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for New Zealand Christmas Tree to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed New Zealand Christmas Tree 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 to partial shade and well-draining acidic soil with high organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

New Zealand Christmas Tree is suited to USDA Zone 9a – 11b.

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.

New Zealand Christmas Tree can spread to about 15 ft (4.6 m) and reach about 30 ft (9 m) tall. Space plants about 15 ft (4.6 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 New Zealand Christmas Tree 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.

New Zealand Christmas Tree 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.

New Zealand Christmas Tree can be propagated through seeds, semi-hardwood cuttings.

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

New Zealand Christmas Tree is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, sooty mold. 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.

New Zealand Christmas Tree grows outdoors in USDA Zone 9a – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 9a. New Zealand Christmas Tree is native to New Zealand. In cooler regions, grow New Zealand Christmas Tree as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.