Pincushion hakea Hakea laurina
Pincushion hakea (Hakea laurina) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Proteaceae family, native to South-west Western Australia. It grows 3–6 m (10–20 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 3 m (10 ft) apart.
Plan Pincushion hakea in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Pincushion hakea at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Proteaceae |
| Mature height | 3–6 m (10–20 ft) |
| Mature spread | 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) |
| Spacing | 3 m (10 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 7 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -4 °C (25 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 40 °C (104 °F) |
| Flowering | about 104–209 weeks after planting, for 7–11 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | South-west Western Australia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇮🇱 Israel, 🇿🇦 South Africa |
Is Pincushion hakea toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not known to be 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 Pincushion hakea
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Pincushion hakea
- How far apart should I plant Pincushion hakea?
- About 3 m (10 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft).
- Does Pincushion hakea need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 7 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Pincushion hakea need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Pincushion hakea?
- It tolerates about -4 °C (25 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Pincushion hakea flower?
- About 104–209 weeks after planting, for 7–11 weeks.
- Is Pincushion hakea 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 known to be poisonous.
- What grows well with Pincushion hakea?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Pincushion hakea. 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
- FloraBase: the Western Australian Flora, Western Australian Herbarium, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
- 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.
- Round red flower heads bristling with long cream styles, like pins in a pincushion, in autumn and winter, among grey-green leathery leaves. Fast and drought-proof; prone to fall over in wind on shallow soils, so stake young plants.
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