Illawarra Plum Plant Care

Illawarra Plum (Podocarpus elatus) belongs to the Podocarpaceae family within the Podocarpus genus. Illawarra Plum is native to the east coast of Australia, in eastern New South Wales and eastern Queensland. Illawarra Plum is also known as Plum Pine, Native Plum.

Illawarra Plum displays a slow-growing, upright tree growth habit, reaching up to 30 ft tall with a spread of approximately 10 ft. Illawarra Plum produces insignificant flowers, mainly grown for foliage.

Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Illawarra Plum 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.

Illawarra Plum thrives in bright indirect to full sun. Avoid placing Illawarra Plum in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Podocarpus elatus tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Illawarra Plum prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining, acidic soil with added organic matter like peat moss or compost. Good drainage is essential for Illawarra Plum to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Illawarra Plum 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 bright indirect to full sun and well-draining, acidic soil with added organic matter like peat moss or compost. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Illawarra Plum 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.

Illawarra Plum can spread to about 10 ft (3 m) and reach about 30 ft (9 m) tall. Space plants about 10 ft (3 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 Illawarra Plum 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.

Illawarra Plum 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.

Illawarra Plum can be propagated through seeds, semi-hardwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to yellowwood plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Illawarra Plum is susceptible to spider mites, 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.

Illawarra Plum grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Illawarra Plum is native to the east coast of Australia, in eastern New South Wales and eastern Queensland. In cooler regions, grow Illawarra Plum as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.