A dense shrub with fine heath-like foliage and brilliant orange-gold candle spikes through autumn and winter, drawing honeyeaters in numbers. A superb screening and bird plant.
At a glance
- Plant type: Shrub
- Mature size: 4 m H × 4 m W
- Aspect: full sun
- Water: happy on low water
- Frost: hardy
- Maintenance: low maintenance
- Origin: Australian native
About Heath Banksia
Banksia ericifolia is a moderate-growing shrub in the Proteaceae family, native to New South Wales. It reaches around 4 m tall and 4 m wide at maturity, with evergreen foliage. Orange and red flowers appear in autumn and winter.
Where to grow Heath Banksia
Heath Banksia suits warm-temperate and subtropical climates and grows best in full sun. It is frost hardy and shrugs off cold winters. It also tolerates salt-laden coastal winds and is a genuinely water-wise choice.
Soil & planting
Heath Banksia does best in sandy, free-draining and acidic soil. Plant into well-prepared ground, firm the soil around the roots and water deeply to settle it in. For a screen, space plants about 2.4 m apart.
Watering & feeding
Heath Banksia performs well with relatively little water once established. As an Australian native, feed it only with a low-phosphorus native fertiliser — the Proteaceae are especially phosphorus-sensitive. During the first growing season, water deeply whenever the upper soil begins to dry, then reduce the frequency as roots establish.
Pruning & care
Prune Heath Banksia after flowering to keep it compact and encourage the next flush of blooms. It clips well, so trim two or three times a year for a formal finish. For most gardens, it is low maintenance.
Using Heath Banksia in the garden
Heath Banksia earns its place for a fast screen or informal hedge, drawing nectar-feeding birds into the garden, a feature or specimen planting and cut flowers for the vase.
Companion planting & design
Heath Banksia sits most comfortably beside plants adapted to low water use and warm-temperate climate. A small cluster gives stronger visual impact than isolated plants scattered through the garden. It combines naturally with other Australian natives in a habitat or water-wise garden.
Buying Heath Banksia
Plant Sale lists Heath Banksia as tube stock, potted plants and seed. Use the quote builder above to ask about current stock, sizes and pricing.
Prefer to grow it yourself? See the Heath Banksia seed sowing guide for depth, timing and germination.
