Mountain Silky-oak Plant Care

Mountain Silky-oak (Orites excelsus) belongs to the Proteaceae family within the Orites genus. Mountain Silky-oak is native to eastern Australia. Mountain Silky-oak is also known as Tall Orites.

Mountain Silky-oak displays a compact shrub, upright growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Mountain Silky-oak produces small clusters of tubular flowers in shades of red, orange, or yellow.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Mountain Silky-oak every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Mountain Silky-oak thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Orites excelsus tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Mountain Silky-oak prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining acidic soil mix with added organic matter like peat moss and pine bark. Good drainage is essential for Mountain Silky-oak to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Mountain Silky-oak every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs 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 mix with added organic matter like peat moss and pine bark. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Mountain Silky-oak is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Mountain Silky-oak can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 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 plant spacing calculator.

Prune Mountain Silky-oak 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 shrub in one year.

Mountain Silky-oak 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.

Mountain Silky-oak can be propagated through seeds, cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to mountain rice flower plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Mountain Silky-oak 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.

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