Rough Geebung Plant Care
Persoonia asperula L.A.S.Johnson & P.H.Weston
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Persoonia asperula, commonly known as mountain geebung, is a plant in the family Proteaceae and is endemic to south-eastern Australia. It is an erect or prostrate shrub with smooth bark, mostly elliptic to oblong leaves and yellow flowers borne singly or in groups of up to nine.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Rough Geebung?
Plant Rough Geebung 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 8 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Rough Geebung Native To?
What Is the Rough Geebung?
Rough Geebung (Persoonia asperula) belongs to the Proteaceae family within the Persoonia genus. Rough Geebung is native to south-eastern Australia.
Rough Geebung displays an upright, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. Rough Geebung produces small, yellow flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Rough Geebung?
Water a young or newly planted Rough Geebung 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 Rough Geebung Need?
Rough Geebung thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Rough Geebung Prefer?
Persoonia asperula tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Rough Geebung prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Rough Geebung?
Well-draining sandy soil with added organic matter for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Rough Geebung to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Rough Geebung?
Feed Rough Geebung every 8 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 8 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 Rough Geebung?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy soil with added organic matter for nutrients. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Rough Geebung 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 Rough Geebung?
Rough Geebung 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 Rough Geebung?
Prune Rough Geebung 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 Rough Geebung in Winter?
Rough Geebung 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 Rough Geebung?
Rough Geebung can be propagated through seeds, cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to needle geebung plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Rough Geebung Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Rough Geebung, 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 Rough Geebung?
Rough Geebung is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, 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.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Rough Geebung Need?
Rough Geebung grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Rough Geebung is native to south-eastern Australia. In cooler regions, grow Rough Geebung as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Rough Geebung 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 Persoonia genus — compare its care with other Persoonia species on PlantoScan.
Persoonia is part of the Proteaceae plant family — browse all Proteaceae genera and species.
Rough Geebung thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Persoonia Species
Other Persoonia species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Persoonia asperula L.A.S.Johnson & P.H.Weston, family Proteaceae (first published in Telopea 4: 279 (1991)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Rough Geebung, 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.
