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Hakea
We track 14 varieties; the ones most used by real gardeners.
The 14 most-saved Hakea varieties
12 species of Hakea
Each one is a parent of the varieties above.
Track your Hakea in Sow
Save the Hakea you grow and get care reminders timed to your zone.
How to grow Hakea
Whats common across all Hakea varieties in our catalog — drawn from the care records of the 14 most-grown of them.
The Hakea year
- PruneMay100% of varieties
Perform light formative pruning after flowering to remove spent wood.
- FertilizeMarch and April100% of varieties
Apply a low-phosphorus native fertiliser sparingly.
- Check for PestsJune and July100% of varieties
Inspect the trunk for borer holes and frass, and check foliage for fungal spots.
- MulchOctober and November57% of varieties
Replenish a thin layer of coarse mulch, ensuring it remains well clear of the main stem.
- PlantSeptember and October43% of varieties
Plant out young specimens into well-drained soil to allow root establishment before extreme heat.
Do
- Use only low-phosphorus fertilisers formulated specifically for Australian native plants.
- Use only low-phosphorus fertilisers formulated specifically for native plants.
- Ensure the soil drains completely and rapidly to protect the root system from rot.
- Position the plant away from high-traffic pathways where the sharp foliage could cause injury.
- Prune lightly immediately after flowering to maintain a bushy, compact shape.
Avoid
- Do not apply standard garden fertilisers containing high phosphorus levels.
- Do not prune heavily into old, leafless wood.
- Do not apply standard phosphorus-rich garden fertilisers.
- Do not over-water once the root system is established.
What goes wrong with Hakea
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Borers | Small holes in the woody trunk accompanied by sawdust-like frass and structural decline. | Maintain plant health to prevent stress, and prune away heavily infested branches if safe to do so. |
| Scale insects | Small, raised brown bumps on stems and foliage, accompanied by sticky honeydew or black sooty mould. | Apply a light spray of horticultural oil during cool, overcast weather to suffocate the pests. |
| Parrots and Cockatoos | Chewed or broken flower buds, shredded blooms, and damaged woody seed pods. | Accept as natural wildlife interaction, or temporarily net young specimen plants during the budding season. |
| Possums | Browsing of soft new growth by native brushtail possums. | Use physical tree guards or approved deterrents if severe. |
| Phytophthora root rot | Sudden wilting, yellowing of foliage, and root decay leading to plant death. | Ensure absolute drainage; avoid planting in heavy soils and apply a systemic fungicide if infection is suspected early. |
| Phytophthora dieback | Sudden wilting, yellowing foliage, root rot, and rapid collapse of the plant. | Plant in highly-draining soil, avoid summer over-watering, and maintain strict hygiene. |
| Phytophthora Dieback | Root rot leading to sudden wilting, collar rot, leaf yellowing, and plant collapse. | Ensure absolute soil drainage, avoid bringing in contaminated soil, and apply preventative phosphite treatments in high-risk areas. |
Making more Hakea
Seed
- Collect woody seed capsules and store them in a warm, dry paper bag until they open to release the seeds.
- Sow fresh seeds in a well-draining, sandy seed-raising mix during autumn.
- Cover lightly with a thin layer of coarse sand or grit.
- Keep the medium lightly moist but never wet, placing the tray in a warm, sunny position until germination occurs.
Tip cuttings
- Take semi-hardwood tip cuttings about 7 to 10 cm long in late summer or early autumn.
- Remove the leaves from the lower half of the cutting, taking care not to damage the stem.
- Dip the base of the cutting in a rooting hormone gel or powder suitable for semi-hardwood cuttings.
- Insert into a well-drained propagation mix of perlite and peat, keeping warm and humid until roots establish.
Hakea questions
How many types of Hakea are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 14 distinct Hakea varieties. The most popular — ranked by 7 real gardeners — are shown first above.
What zones does Hakea grow in?
Across its varieties, Hakea 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 Hakea bloom?
Most Hakea varieties bloom in winter, spring, autumn. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Hakea 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.