Coast banksia Banksia integrifolia
Coast banksia (Banksia integrifolia) is an evergreen perennial tree in the Proteaceae family, native to Eastern coastal Australia (Queensland to Victoria). It grows 6–12 m (20–39 ft) tall and 4–8 m (13–26 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -3 °C (27 °F). Space plants about 5 m (16 ft) apart.
Plan Coast banksia in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Coast banksia at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Proteaceae |
| Mature height | 6–12 m (20–39 ft) |
| Mature spread | 4–8 m (13–26 ft) |
| Spacing | 5 m (16 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -3 °C (27 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | from about September for 13–26 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | High |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Eastern coastal Australia (Queensland to Victoria) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇦🇺 Australia |
Is Coast banksia toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
No toxicity reported for banksias in ASPCA or poison-centre references.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Coast banksia
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
See Coast banksia in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- The Huntington (3 plants)
- UC Botanical Garden, Berkeley (2 plants)
Questions about Coast banksia
- How far apart should I plant Coast banksia?
- About 5 m (16 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 4–8 m (13–26 ft).
- Does Coast banksia need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Coast banksia need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Coast banksia?
- It tolerates about -3 °C (27 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Coast banksia flower?
- From about September for 13–26 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Coast banksia poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. No toxicity reported for banksias in ASPCA or poison-centre references.
- What grows well with Coast banksia?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Coast banksia. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- Australian native plant profiles, Australian National Botanic Gardens / Australian Plants Society
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Notes and assumptions
- Proteaceae are sensitive to phosphorus: use low-phosphorus fertiliser and avoid rich soil.
- Flowers mainly in autumn and winter in Australia; dates are mapped to the northern calendar.
- Tolerates salt wind well. Typical garden-form values; cultivars and local conditions differ.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Macadamia Macadamia integrifolia
- King protea Protea cynaroides
- Pincushion protea Leucospermum cordifolium
- Rosemary grevillea Grevillea rosmarinifolia
- Waratah Telopea speciosissima
- Silver tree (witteboom) Leucadendron argenteum
- Oleander-leaf protea Protea neriifolia
- Common sugarbush Protea repens