Heath banksia Banksia ericifolia
Heath banksia (Banksia ericifolia) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Proteaceae family, native to Sandstone heath of the Sydney region and the Blue Mountains, New South Wales. It grows 2–5 m (6.6–16 ft) tall and 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -4 °C (25 °F). Space plants about 2.5 m (8.2 ft) apart.
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Heath banksia at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Proteaceae |
| Mature height | 2–5 m (6.6–16 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 | Low; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 4.5–6.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -4 °C (25 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | about 156–261 weeks after planting, for 9–14 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Sandstone heath of the Sydney region and the Blue Mountains, New South Wales |
| Common in gardens of | 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇳🇿 New Zealand, 🇿🇦 South Africa |
Is Heath banksia toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous.
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 Heath banksia
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Heath banksia
- How far apart should I plant Heath banksia?
- About 2.5 m (8.2 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft).
- Does Heath banksia need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Heath banksia need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Heath banksia?
- It tolerates about -4 °C (25 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Heath banksia flower?
- About 156–261 weeks after planting, for 9–14 weeks.
- Is Heath 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. Not poisonous.
- What grows well with Heath banksia?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Heath banksia. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- PlantNET: the NSW Flora Online, National Herbarium of New South Wales, Botanic Gardens of Sydney
- Australian native plant profiles, Australian National Botanic Gardens / Australian Plants Society
Notes and assumptions
- An Australian native of poor, sandy soils: it wants sharp drainage and sun, and rots in heavy, wet ground or humid summers.
- Like other Proteaceae it has cluster roots that make it very sensitive to phosphorus: feed only with a low-phosphorus native-plant fertiliser, or not at all.
- Fine, heath-like leaves and tall candles of orange-red flowers through autumn and winter, rich in nectar for honeyeaters, possums and bats. Joseph Banks collected banksias at Botany Bay in 1770, and the genus is named after him.
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
- Coast banksia Banksia integrifolia
- Waratah Telopea speciosissima
- Silver tree (witteboom) Leucadendron argenteum
- Oleander-leaf protea Protea neriifolia