Red-flowering gum Corymbia ficifolia
Red-flowering gum (Corymbia ficifolia) is an evergreen perennial tree in the Myrtaceae family, native to A small area of the south coast of Western Australia (Walpole to Denmark). It grows 5–10 m (16–33 ft) tall and 5–8 m (16–26 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -3 °C (27 °F). Space plants about 6 m (20 ft) apart.
Plan Red-flowering gum in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Red-flowering gum at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Myrtaceae |
| Mature height | 5–10 m (16–33 ft) |
| Mature spread | 5–8 m (16–26 ft) |
| Spacing | 6 m (20 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 | 5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About -3 °C (27 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 42 °C (108 °F) |
| Flowering | about 209–365 weeks after planting, for 6–10 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | A small area of the south coast of Western Australia (Walpole to Denmark) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇵🇹 Portugal, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇳🇿 New Zealand |
Is Red-flowering gum toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: leaves, essential oil
Eucalyptus oil is poisonous if swallowed (drooling, vomiting, drowsiness); keep the oil away from children and pets.
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 Red-flowering gum
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low 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
Questions about Red-flowering gum
- How far apart should I plant Red-flowering gum?
- About 6 m (20 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 5–8 m (16–26 ft).
- Does Red-flowering gum need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 7 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Red-flowering gum need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Red-flowering gum?
- It tolerates about -3 °C (27 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Red-flowering gum flower?
- About 209–365 weeks after planting, for 6–10 weeks.
- Is Red-flowering gum poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people mildly toxic. Eucalyptus oil is poisonous if swallowed (drooling, vomiting, drowsiness); keep the oil away from children and pets.
- What grows well with Red-flowering gum?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Red-flowering gum. 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.
- A small gum famous for summer masses of scarlet, pink or orange flowers, followed by large urn-shaped gumnuts. Seedlings vary in colour, so grafted named forms (‘Summer Red’) are sold. A favourite street tree in Perth, Melbourne and coastal California.
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
- Crimson bottlebrush Melaleuca citrina
- Mānuka (tea tree) Leptospermum scoparium