Browse plants / Myrtaceae
Blue lilly pilly Syzygium oleosum
Previously known as Syzygium coolminianum
When it flowers
- January, not flowering
- February, not flowering
- March, not flowering
- April, not flowering
- May, not flowering
- June, not flowering
- July, not flowering
- August, not flowering
- September, not flowering
- October, flowering
- November, flowering
- December, flowering
Lilly pilly with glossy aromatic leaves, pink new growth and edible purple-blue fruit.
An east coast rainforest tree with crushed leaves that smell of citrus. Flushes of pink new growth are followed by white flowers and round fruit that ripen to purple-blue, an unusual colour for a lilly pilly. Makes a dense screen or small shade tree.
In the garden
- Flowers
- Fluffy white flowers in clusters.
- Leaves
- Glossy, wavy-edged leaves with oil dots, citrus-scented when crushed; pink new growth.
- Attracts
- Birds, pollinating insects and shelter for small wildlife
Bush food
Purple-blue fruit ripen in summer and autumn. Mild, slightly spicy flavour; eaten fresh or made into jam.
Growing conditions
- Climate
- Tropical, subtropical and temperate
- Light
- Full sun to part shade
- Soil
- Sandy, loam and clay
- Drainage
- Needs good drainage
- Frost
- Light frost
- Water
- Some dry spells
- Coast
- Sheltered coastal gardens
Planting and care
- Grown from
- Seed and cuttings
Planting
Sun or part shade in deep, moist, well-drained soil. Mulch well and water through the first summer. Ripe fruit falls and stains paving and cars, so keep larger plants back from driveways and paths.
Pruning
Clips well. Lightly prune young plants to keep them bushy.
Care
Water in dry spells and feed in spring. Myrtle rust can attack new growth; remove badly affected shoots.
Where it comes from
- Family
- Myrtaceae
- Order
- Myrtales
- Native to
- New South Wales and Queensland
- Natural range
- Rainforest from north Queensland to the NSW south coast.
Where to buy
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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Further reading
- Syzygium oleosum 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.