Weeping Lilly Pilly Plant Care

Syzygium fibrosum (F.M.Bailey) T.G.Hartley & L.M.Perry

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Syzygium fibrosum is a species of trees native to rainforest, monsoon forest and gallery forest of New Guinea, and northern Australia. Common names include small red apple, (Bamaga) fibrous satinash and apricot satinash.

🌳Trees🌿Shrubs
Water

Every 7–14 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

60–85°F

Humidity

50–80%

At a glance

How do you care for Weeping Lilly Pilly?

Plant Weeping Lilly Pilly in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 13a) and water a young tree every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F (16–29°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Weeping Lilly Pilly Native To?

Native range3 countries

What Is the Weeping Lilly Pilly?

Weeping Lilly Pilly (Syzygium fibrosum) belongs to the Myrtaceae family within the Syzygium genus. Weeping Lilly Pilly is native to rainforest, monsoon forest and gallery forest of New Guinea, and northern Australia. Weeping Lilly Pilly is also known as Weeping Myrtus.

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

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Weeping Lilly Pilly?

Water a young or newly planted Weeping Lilly Pilly 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 Weeping Lilly Pilly Need?

Weeping Lilly Pilly thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Weeping Lilly Pilly Prefer?

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

Temperature

60–85°F

Humidity

50–80%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Weeping Lilly Pilly?

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

How Often Should You Fertilize a Weeping Lilly Pilly?

Feed Weeping Lilly Pilly 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.

Fertilizing

Every 6 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 Weeping Lilly Pilly?

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.

Weeping Lilly Pilly is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

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 Weeping Lilly Pilly?

Weeping Lilly Pilly 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.

How Do You Prune a Weeping Lilly Pilly?

Prune Weeping Lilly Pilly 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 Weeping Lilly Pilly in Winter?

Weeping Lilly Pilly is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). 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 Weeping Lilly Pilly?

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

Is the Weeping Lilly Pilly Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Weeping Lilly Pilly, 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 Weeping Lilly Pilly?

Weeping Lilly Pilly 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 Weeping Lilly Pilly Need?

Weeping Lilly Pilly grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Weeping Lilly Pilly is native to rainforest, monsoon forest and gallery forest of New Guinea, and northern Australia. In cooler regions, grow Weeping Lilly Pilly as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 13a

Keep exploring plants

Weeping Lilly Pilly 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 Syzygium genus — compare its care with other Syzygium species on PlantoScan.

Syzygium is part of the Myrtaceae plant family — browse all Myrtaceae genera and species.

Weeping Lilly Pilly thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Syzygium Species

Other Syzygium species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Syzygium fibrosum (F.M.Bailey) T.G.Hartley & L.M.Perry, family Myrtaceae (first published in J. Arnold Arbor. 54: 201 (1973)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Weeping Lilly Pilly, 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 13a, 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.

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