Crimson bottlebrush Melaleuca citrina
Crimson bottlebrush (Melaleuca citrina) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Myrtaceae family, native to Eastern Australia (New South Wales and Victoria). It grows 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) tall and 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -7 °C (19 °F). Space plants about 2.5 m (8.2 ft) apart.
Plan Crimson bottlebrush in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Crimson bottlebrush at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Myrtaceae |
| Mature height | 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) |
| Mature spread | 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) |
| Spacing | 2.5 m (8.2 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance moderate |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -7 °C (19 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 8) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | from about May for 4–10 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Eastern Australia (New South Wales and Victoria) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇿🇦 South Africa |
Is Crimson bottlebrush toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Bottlebrush (Callistemon) is listed as non-toxic by the ASPCA.
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 Crimson bottlebrush
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Keep apart or take care
- caution With Guava: Myrtle rust (Austropuccinia psidii) infects guava, feijoa, Surinam cherry and many other Myrtaceae; it spreads by airborne spores between them. Evidence B
See Crimson bottlebrush in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- The Huntington (4 plants)
- UC Botanical Garden, Berkeley (3 plants)
Questions about Crimson bottlebrush
- How far apart should I plant Crimson bottlebrush?
- About 2.5 m (8.2 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft).
- Does Crimson bottlebrush need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Crimson bottlebrush need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance moderate.
- How cold-hardy is Crimson bottlebrush?
- It tolerates about -7 °C (19 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 8.
- When does Crimson bottlebrush flower?
- From about May for 4–10 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Crimson bottlebrush 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. Bottlebrush (Callistemon) is listed as non-toxic by the ASPCA.
- What grows well with Crimson bottlebrush?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Crimson bottlebrush. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Australian native plant profiles, Australian National Botanic Gardens / Australian Plants Society
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
- PlantZAfrica, South African National Biodiversity Institute
Notes and assumptions
- Formerly Callistemon citrinus. Flowers mainly in spring with a lighter autumn flush; nectar attracts honeyeaters.
- Flowering dates are mapped to the northern calendar. Susceptible to myrtle rust.
- 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
- Lemon myrtle Backhousia citriodora
- Guava Psidium guajava
- Feijoa Acca sellowiana
- Surinam cherry (pitanga) Eugenia uniflora
- Cider gum (eucalyptus) Eucalyptus gunnii
- Lilly pilly Syzygium smithii
- Mānuka (tea tree) Leptospermum scoparium
- Pōhutukawa (NZ Christmas tree) Metrosideros excelsa