Browse plants / Myrtaceae
Geraldton wax Chamelaucium uncinatum
When it flowers
- January, not flowering
- February, not flowering
- March, not flowering
- April, not flowering
- May, not flowering
- June, not flowering
- July, flowering
- August, flowering
- September, flowering
- October, flowering
- November, not flowering
- December, not flowering
Fine-leaved shrub covered in waxy pink, white or purple flowers, a famous cut flower.
Grown worldwide as a cut flower. Its needle-like leaves smell of lemon when crushed, and waxy flowers in white, pink or purple cover it from late winter. Needs a sunny, dry, well-drained spot; grafted plants suit humid areas.
In the garden
- Attracts
- Pollinating insects and butterflies
- Flowers
- Waxy, cup-shaped flowers 1 to 2 cm across, white, pink or purple.
- Leaves
- Needle-like leaves with a lemon scent when crushed.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Full sun
- Soil
- Sandy and loam
- Soil pH
- Neutral and alkaline
- Drainage
- Needs good drainage
- Frost
- Light frost
- Water
- Very drought tolerant
- Coast
- Sheltered coastal gardens
- Climate
- Dry summers (Mediterranean) and temperate
Planting and care
- Grown from
- Cuttings and grafting
Planting
Full sun in sandy, very free-draining soil. Best in dry-summer climates; dislikes humidity. Choose a grafted plant for humid areas.
Pruning
Cut flowers for the vase freely, or prune by a third after flowering.
Care
Avoid summer watering once established; prone to root rot in wet soil.
Where it comes from
- Family
- Myrtaceae
- Order
- Myrtales
- Native to
- Western Australia
- Natural range
- Coastal sands of Western Australia, from Perth north to Kalbarri.
Where to buy
Widely available.
We don't have stockists listed for this plant yet. Local native nurseries are often the best place to ask.
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Further reading
- Chamelaucium uncinatum on the Atlas of Living Australia (Atlas of Living Australia)
Native nurseries near you
An independent list of nurseries that specialise in Australian native plants. Nobody pays to be on it. Distances are approximate and in a straight line. Opening hours and stock vary, so check before you go.