Scarlet banksia (Banksia coccinea)

When it flowers

January, not flowering
February, not flowering
March, not flowering
April, not flowering
May, not flowering
June, flowering
July, flowering
August, flowering
September, flowering
October, flowering
November, flowering
December, flowering

The plant species Banksia coccinea, an occurrence near Frenchman Bay Road, Little Grove, Albany.. Photo: Cygnis insignis, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

A snapshot of Banksia coccinea, taken near the Middleton Beach golf course, Albany, Western Australia. It was windy, the camera was rubbish, and I was rushing off. The habitat is relatively undisturb…. Photo: Cygnis insignis, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The plant species Banksia coccinea, an occurence near Frenchman Bay Road, Little Grove, Albany.. Photo: Cygnis insignis, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

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Showy WA banksia with squat flower heads striped scarlet and white.

One of the most striking banksias and a prized cut flower: each broad head is made up of rows of scarlet styles over white. It needs a dry-summer climate and very free-draining sandy soil, and is often short-lived in humid east-coast gardens.

In the garden

Feature plant
Cut flowers

Attracts: Birds
Flowers: Squat, broad heads up to 8 cm tall, scarlet styles over white or grey.
Leaves: Stiff, toothed, oblong grey-green leaves.

Growing conditions

Climate: Dry summers (Mediterranean)
Light: Full sun
Soil: Sandy
Drainage: Needs good drainage
Frost: Light frost
Water: Very drought tolerant
Coast: Sheltered coastal gardens

Planting and care

Grown from: Seed and grafting

Planting

Full sun in deep, sandy, free-draining soil. In humid or heavy-soil gardens choose a grafted plant, or grow it in a raised bed of sandy soil with good air movement.

Pruning

Tip prune young plants to encourage branching. Cut spent cones or picked flowers just behind the spike, leaving leaves on the stem; it doesn't regrow well from bare wood.

Care

Use a low-phosphorus native fertiliser, if any. Avoid summer watering once established; prone to root rot in wet soil.

Where it comes from

Family: Proteaceae
Order: Proteales
Native to: Western Australia
Natural range: Sandy heath along the south coast of Western Australia.

Specialist native nurseries.

We don't have stockists listed for this plant yet. Local native nurseries are often the best place to ask.

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Scarlet banksia Banksia coccinea