Musgravea stenostachya Plant Care

Musgravea stenostachya F.Muell.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Musgravea stenostachya, commonly known as the crater oak or grey silky oak, is a species of rainforest tree of the family Proteaceae from north-eastern Queensland. It was described in 1890 by Ferdinand von Mueller, having been collected on Mount Bellenden-Ker.

🌳Trees🌿Shrubs
Water

Every 7–14 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

60–80°F

Humidity

50–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Musgravea stenostachya?

Plant Musgravea stenostachya in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 13a) and water a young tree every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

What Is the Musgravea stenostachya?

Musgravea stenostachya (Musgravea stenostachya) belongs to the Proteaceae family within the Musgravea genus.

Musgravea stenostachya displays a tall, upright tree growth habit, reaching up to 30 ft tall with a spread of approximately 15 ft. Musgravea stenostachya produces showy clusters of small, colorful flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 8 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Musgravea stenostachya?

Water a young or newly planted Musgravea stenostachya 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 Musgravea stenostachya Need?

Musgravea stenostachya thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Musgravea stenostachya Prefer?

Musgravea stenostachya tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. Musgravea stenostachya prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Temperature

60–80°F

Humidity

50–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Musgravea stenostachya?

Well-draining acidic soil with high organic content, such as a mix of peat moss, pine bark, and perlite. Good drainage is essential for Musgravea stenostachya to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Musgravea stenostachya?

Feed Musgravea stenostachya 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 Musgravea stenostachya?

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining acidic soil with high organic content, such as a mix of peat moss, pine bark, and perlite. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Musgravea stenostachya is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

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 Musgravea stenostachya?

Musgravea stenostachya 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.

How Do You Prune a Musgravea stenostachya?

Prune Musgravea stenostachya 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 Musgravea stenostachya in Winter?

Musgravea stenostachya is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). 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 Musgravea stenostachya?

Musgravea stenostachya can be propagated through seeds, cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to musgravea heterophylla plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Musgravea stenostachya Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Musgravea stenostachya, 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 Musgravea stenostachya?

Musgravea stenostachya is susceptible to aphids, 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 Musgravea stenostachya Need?

Musgravea stenostachya grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. In cooler regions, grow Musgravea stenostachya as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 13a

Keep exploring plants

Musgravea stenostachya 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 Musgravea genus — compare its care with other Musgravea species on PlantoScan.

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

Musgravea stenostachya thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

Related Plant Care Guides

Closely related plants with similar care requirements:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Musgravea stenostachya F.Muell., family Proteaceae (first published in Proc. Linn. Soc. New South Wales , ser. 2, 5: 186 (1890)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Musgravea stenostachya, 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 13a, 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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