New Zealand Christmas tree | Plant Finder | Fill My Garden
Plants > Perennials
New Zealand Christmas tree
Metrosiderosexcelsa
Genus
Metrosideros
Family
Myrtaceae
Common Names
New Zealand fire tree, pohutukawa
About this plant
An erect, freely-branching, wide-spreading evergreen tree, to 20m tall in its native New Zealand, with semi-glossy, leathery, dark green leaves, densely white-felted beneath. In summer it produces brush-like, bright red flowers, composed of numerous tufts of stamens
Growing Information
Height
Higher Than 12 Metres
Spread
Wider Than 8 Metres
Care Guide
Cultivation
Under glass, grow in loam-based potting compost in full light, with shade from hot sun. In growth, water freely and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly, water sparingly at other times. Plants become borderline hardy once the stems become woody at around 5 years
Pruning
See pruning group 1; plants may need restrictive pruning under glass
Propagation
Propagate by sowing seed in spring. Root semi-ripe cuttings with bottom heat in summer
Not Currently Available
This plant is not currently stocked at any garden centres on our platform.