Brush Cherry Plant Care

Brush Cherry (Syzygium contractum) belongs to the Myrtaceae family within the Syzygium genus. Brush Cherry is native to the island of Mauritius. Brush Cherry is also known as Lilly Pilly.

Brush Cherry displays a tall, dense tree or shrub growth habit, reaching up to 20 ft tall with a spread of approximately 15 ft. Brush Cherry produces small, white, fluffy flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Brush Cherry 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.

Brush Cherry thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Syzygium contractum tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Brush Cherry prefers humidity levels of 50–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

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

Feed Brush Cherry every 6 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, slightly acidic soil with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Brush Cherry is suited to USDA Zone 10b – 12b.

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.

Brush Cherry can spread to about 15 ft (4.6 m) and reach about 20 ft (6 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.

Prune Brush Cherry 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.

Brush Cherry is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 10). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

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

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

Brush Cherry 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.

Brush Cherry grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10b – 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10b. Brush Cherry is native to the island of Mauritius. In cooler regions, grow Brush Cherry as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.