27 saves
Banksia
We track 21 varieties; the ones most used by real gardeners.
The 21 most-saved Banksia varieties
16 species of Banksia
Each one is a parent of the varieties above.
Track your Banksia in Sow
Save the Banksia you grow and get care reminders timed to your zone.
How to grow Banksia
Whats common across all Banksia varieties in our catalog — drawn from the care records of the 21 most-grown of them.
The Banksia year
- FertilizeMarch and April100% of varieties
Apply a low-phosphorus native fertiliser sparingly around the drip line.
- Check for PestsJune and July100% of varieties
Inspect woody stems for borer entry holes and frass.
- PruneMay95% of varieties
Tip-prune lightly behind spent flower heads to maintain a dense habit.
- MulchMay and October62% of varieties
Apply a coarse mulch to protect roots, keeping it clear of the trunk.
- PropagateSeptember and October48% of varieties
Sow seeds in a well-drained sandy seed-raising mix during spring.
Do
- Prune lightly after flowering to maintain a dense, compact habit.
- Use only low-phosphorus fertilisers formulated specifically for Australian native plants.
- Protect young plants from heavy frosts until they are fully established.
- Use only specialized low-phosphorus native fertilisers.
- Use only native-specific, low-phosphorus fertilisers.
Avoid
- Do not apply standard garden fertilisers containing high levels of phosphorus.
- Do not use standard garden fertilisers containing high phosphorus levels.
- Do not prune hard into old, bare wood.
- Do not use standard garden fertilisers containing high levels of phosphorus.
What goes wrong with Banksia
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Borers | Small entry holes in woody stems accompanied by sawdust-like frass and branch dieback. | Locate the entry holes on affected branches and physically remove or prune out the damaged wood. |
| Possums and Cockatoos | Chewed bark, broken branches, or snapped flower spikes. | Install physical guards during establishment or apply wildlife-safe deterrent sprays. |
| Possums and cockatoos | Erect flower spikes and buds are browsed or snapped off. | Erect physical exclusion netting if wildlife pressure is severe. |
| Scale insects | Small, raised bumps on stems or leaf midribs, occasionally accompanied by sooty mould. | This plant is rarely troubled by pests; manually scrape off minor infestations or apply a light horticultural oil if required. |
| Phytophthora dieback | Sudden wilting, yellowing foliage, and rapid collapse of the entire plant due to root rot. | Ensure pristine soil drainage, plant in raised beds, and apply phosphite treatments to vulnerable plants. |
| Phytophthora Dieback | Sudden wilting, collar rot, and rapid death of the entire plant. | Ensure immaculate soil drainage and apply preventative phosphite treatments in high-risk areas. |
| Phytophthora dieback (Phytophthora cinnamomi) | Collar rot, sudden wilting, branch dieback, and eventual death. | Ensure excellent soil drainage, avoid overwatering, and apply phosphite treatments in high-risk areas. |
Making more Banksia
Seed
- Extract seeds from mature woody cones by applying gentle heat to open the follicles.
- Sow seeds into a well-drained, sterile native seed-raising mix during autumn.
- Cover lightly with a thin layer of fine gravel or coarse sand and water gently.
- Place in a warm, well-ventilated position and maintain consistent but light moisture until germination.
Semi-hardwood cuttings
- Take 10-15 cm semi-hardwood cuttings from firm, current-season growth in late summer.
- Strip the foliage from the lower half of the stem and dip the base in a rooting hormone gel.
- Insert the cuttings into a well-draining propagation mix of perlite and peat.
- Place in a warm, humid environment or mist frame until roots establish, then pot up individually.
Banksia questions
How many types of Banksia are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 21 distinct Banksia varieties. The most popular — ranked by 27 real gardeners — are shown first above.
What zones does Banksia grow in?
Across its varieties, Banksia covers USDA Zones 8–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Banksia bloom?
Most Banksia varieties bloom in autumn, winter, summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Banksia should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.