How to Grow Grevillea
Grevillea spp.
Grevillea thrives in full sun and free-draining, low-phosphorus soil. It is drought-tolerant once established and flowers prolifically — many cultivars nearly year-round. Avoid feeding with phosphorus-rich fertilisers, which are toxic to proteaceous plants. Prune lightly after each main flush of flowers to keep a compact shape and encourage re-blooming. Excellent wildlife plant — a favourite of nectar-feeding birds.
Yearly Lifecycle
Care Essentials
Spring only, with a slow-release, low-phosphorus native plant fertiliser (phosphorus must be below 2% — standard garden fertilisers are toxic to Grevillea). Do not over-feed.
Watch For
- Phytophthora root rot (overwatering / waterlogged soil)
- Scale insects
- Grevillea looper caterpillar
- Phosphorus toxicity from standard fertilisers
Companions
Lavender, Rosemary, Agapanthus, Westringia, Kangaroo Paw
Track your Grevillea care schedule — pruning, feeding, and seasonal tasks
Start planning freeCare Requirements
☀️ Light
Full sun; tolerates partial shade but flowers less
Grevillea performs best in full sun (6+ hours direct sun). In partial shade it will still grow but flowering is significantly reduced. Avoid deep shade entirely.
💧 Watering
Drought-tolerant once established; water weekly while establishing
Water weekly for the first 2 years while the plant establishes. Once established, Grevillea is highly drought-tolerant and rarely needs supplementary watering except in prolonged hot dry spells. Never let the roots sit in wet soil — overwatering causes fatal root rot.
🌱 Fertilizing
Low-phosphorus native plant fertiliser in spring only
Feed once in spring with a slow-release, low-phosphorus native plant or proteaceous fertiliser (phosphorus content below 2%). Standard garden fertilisers and tomato feeds contain phosphorus levels that will progressively poison and kill Grevillea. When in doubt, do not feed at all.
✂️ Pruning
Light tip-pruning after each flowering flush
Tip-prune by up to one-third after each main flush of flowers. This maintains a compact, bushy shape and stimulates new flowering shoots. Avoid cutting back into bare old wood, which often fails to regenerate. Never hard-prune in autumn.
🪨 Soil
Free-draining, slightly acidic, low in phosphorus
Grevillea thrives in sandy or loamy, free-draining soils with a slightly acidic pH (5.5–6.5). Heavy clay soils must be improved with coarse grit before planting. Do not add bone meal or superphosphate to the planting hole.
Growing Tips
Never use phosphorus-rich fertiliser
Standard garden feeds, tomato feeds, and bonemeal all contain phosphorus levels that are toxic to Grevillea and other Proteaceae. Use only a certified native-plant or proteaceous fertiliser with less than 2% phosphorus.
Drainage is non-negotiable
Grevillea will not tolerate wet feet. If your soil is heavy, plant on a raised mound or improve the bed with plenty of coarse grit before planting. Root rot from poor drainage kills more Grevilleas than anything else.
Prune after flowering, not before
Grevillea sets buds on the current season's growth. Pruning after each flush of flowers — not before — keeps the plant tidy while preserving next season's flower buds.
Attracts nectar-feeding wildlife
Grevillea flowers are rich in nectar and are a magnet for bees, butterflies, and nectar-feeding birds. Plant near a window or seating area to enjoy the wildlife display.
Pests & Diseases
Pest Scale Insects
Identification: Brown or white waxy bumps on stems and leaf undersides; sticky honeydew and sooty mould below
- Scrub off with soapy water and a soft brush in late winter
- Encourage natural predators (parasitic wasps, ladybirds)
- Spray with plant oil winter wash while dormant
Pest Grevillea Looper Caterpillar
Identification: Ragged holes in leaves; loop-walking caterpillars on stems and foliage
- Hand-pick caterpillars
- Apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray
- Contact insecticide spray if infestation is severe
Disease Phytophthora Root Rot Phytophthora cinnamomi
Symptoms: Sudden wilting and dieback; leaves turn grey-green, then brown; white fungal growth at root crown
Treatment: Remove and destroy affected plant; do not replant Grevillea in the same spot
Prevention: Plant in free-draining soil; never overwater; avoid mulching right up against the stem
Disease Phosphorus Toxicity
Symptoms: Marginal leaf scorch, yellowing, sudden decline; often triggered by using standard fertilisers
Treatment: Flush soil with water; stop all fertilising; recovery is possible if caught early
Prevention: Use only certified low-phosphorus native plant fertilisers; never use standard garden feeds
Log Grevillea in your garden — track growth, care, and harvests year after year
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