Sandfly Bush Plant Care

Sandfly Bush (Zieria smithii) belongs to the Rutaceae family within the Zieria genus. Sandfly Bush is native to eastern and south-eastern Australia. Sandfly Bush is also known as Zieria.

Sandfly Bush displays a low, spreading shrub growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Sandfly Bush produces small clusters of white or pink flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Sandfly Bush every 7–10 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.

Sandfly Bush thrives in partial shade to full sun.

Zieria smithii tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Sandfly Bush prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining sandy soil mix with good organic content. Good drainage is essential for Sandfly Bush to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Sandfly Bush 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 partial shade to full sun and well-draining sandy soil mix with good organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Sandfly Bush 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.

Sandfly Bush can spread to about 3 ft (0.9 m) and reach about 2 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 Sandfly Bush 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.

Sandfly Bush 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.

Sandfly Bush can be propagated through softwood cuttings, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to floyd's zieria plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Sandfly Bush 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.

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