Tallarook Plant Care

Tallarook (Persoonia elliptica) belongs to the Proteaceae family within the Persoonia genus. Tallarook is native to the south-west of Western Australia. Tallarook is also known as Tallarook Onion, Tallarook Onion-tree.

Tallarook displays an upright, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. Tallarook produces small, yellow flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Tallarook 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.

Tallarook thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Persoonia elliptica tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Tallarook prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining sandy soil with added organic matter for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Tallarook to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Tallarook 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.

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 sandy soil with added organic matter for nutrients. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Tallarook 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.

Tallarook 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.

Prune Tallarook 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.

Tallarook 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.

Tallarook can be propagated through seeds, cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to needle geebung plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Tallarook 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.

Tallarook grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Tallarook is native to the south-west of Western Australia. In cooler regions, grow Tallarook as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.