Stenocarpus davallioides Plant Care
Stenocarpus davallioides Foreman & B.Hyland
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Stenocarpus davallioides, commonly known as the fern-leaved stenocarpus, is a species of flowering plant in the family Proteaceae and is endemic to north Queensland. It is a tree with simple or pinnate adult leaves, groups of creamy-green flowers and narrow oblong follicles.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Stenocarpus davallioides?
Plant Stenocarpus davallioides 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 Stenocarpus davallioides Native To?
What Is the Stenocarpus davallioides?
Stenocarpus davallioides (Stenocarpus davallioides) belongs to the Proteaceae family within the Stenocarpus genus. Stenocarpus davallioides is native to north Queensland.
Stenocarpus davallioides displays a tall, upright tree growth habit, reaching up to 30 ft tall with a spread of approximately 15 ft. Stenocarpus davallioides produces showy clusters of red or orange tubular flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Stenocarpus davallioides?
Water a young or newly planted Stenocarpus davallioides 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 Stenocarpus davallioides Need?
Stenocarpus davallioides thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Stenocarpus davallioides Prefer?
Stenocarpus davallioides tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Stenocarpus davallioides prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Stenocarpus davallioides?
Well-draining acidic soil with high organic content, such as a mix of peat moss, pine bark, and perlite. Good drainage is essential for Stenocarpus davallioides to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Stenocarpus davallioides?
Feed Stenocarpus davallioides 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 Stenocarpus davallioides?
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.
Stenocarpus davallioides 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 Stenocarpus davallioides?
Stenocarpus davallioides 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 Stenocarpus davallioides?
Prune Stenocarpus davallioides 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 Stenocarpus davallioides in Winter?
Stenocarpus davallioides 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 Stenocarpus davallioides?
Stenocarpus davallioides can be propagated through seeds, semi-hardwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to stenocarpus acacioides plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Stenocarpus davallioides Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Stenocarpus davallioides, 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 Stenocarpus davallioides?
Stenocarpus davallioides is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, spider mites. 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 Stenocarpus davallioides Need?
Stenocarpus davallioides grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Stenocarpus davallioides is native to north Queensland. In cooler regions, grow Stenocarpus davallioides as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Stenocarpus davallioides 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 Stenocarpus genus — compare its care with other Stenocarpus species on PlantoScan.
Stenocarpus is part of the Proteaceae plant family — browse all Proteaceae genera and species.
Stenocarpus davallioides thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Stenocarpus Species
Other Stenocarpus species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Stenocarpus davallioides Foreman & B.Hyland, family Proteaceae (first published in Muelleria 6: 419 (1988)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Stenocarpus davallioides, 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.
