Keel-fruited Westringia Plant Care

Keel-fruited Westringia (Westringia glabra) belongs to the Lamiaceae family within the Westringia genus. Keel-fruited Westringia is native to Australia. Keel-fruited Westringia is also known as Smooth Westringia.

Keel-fruited Westringia displays a compact, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Keel-fruited Westringia produces small white or purple flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Keel-fruited Westringia every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Keel-fruited Westringia thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Westringia glabra tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Keel-fruited Westringia prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining sandy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Keel-fruited Westringia to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Keel-fruited Westringia every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs 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 compost for nutrients. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Keel-fruited Westringia is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Keel-fruited Westringia can spread to about 3 ft (0.9 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 3 ft (0.9 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 plant spacing calculator.

Prune Keel-fruited Westringia 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 shrub in one year.

Keel-fruited Westringia 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.

Keel-fruited Westringia can be propagated through softwood cuttings, semi-hardwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to coastal rosemary plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Keel-fruited Westringia is susceptible to aphids, 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.

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