shrub

Lavender Grevillea

The Story

Plant Bio

Grevillea is a diverse genus of evergreen Australian shrubs and trees characterised by petal-less flowers where the prominent, colourful styles form dense, brush-like or spider-like inflorescences. These plants are highly adapted to nutrient-poor soils and rely on specialised cluster roots to absorb phosphorus, making them highly sensitive to standard fertilisers.

Grevillea lavandulacea is distinguished by its narrow, grey-green leaves with rolled margins and felted white undersides that closely resemble lavender foliage. The species produces clusters of bright red or pink flowers on short side branches from late winter through to early summer.

Uses & Benefits:

Provides year-round structural interest with its distinctive lavender-like grey-green foliage and vibrant red winter-to-summer flowers.

Highly drought-tolerant once established, making it suitable for low-water landscaping and exposed coastal positions.

Acts as an important food source, attracting nectar-feeding native birds and native bees to the garden.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

36 inches

Width

48 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

9, 10

Water

Low

Humidity

Low

Native To

Southern Australia

Toxicity

Skin irritant

Bloom period

Late winter – Summer

In flower about 6 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting site in full sun or light partial shade with excellent, rapid drainage.
Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball but of equal depth, ensuring the plant sits level with the surrounding soil.
Backfill with native soil without adding organic matter or standard fertilisers to the planting hole.
Water in thoroughly to settle the soil, then apply a coarse, chunky mulch keeping it clear of the main stem.

Pro Tip

Prune only the soft, green tip growth after flowering; cutting back into old, leafless wood prevents the plant from shooting and causes permanent bare patches.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Prune lightly and regularly after flowering to maintain a dense, compact habit.
Use only native-formulated, low-phosphorus fertilisers sparingly if nutrient levels are poor.
Ensure the soil dries out between waterings, especially during warm summer periods.

Don't

Do not apply standard garden fertilisers containing high phosphorus levels.
Do not overwater or allow the roots to sit in waterlogged, heavy soils.
Do not prune hard into old, bare, leafless wood as it will fail to reshoot.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Fertilize
Pest Check
Propagate
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Rock gardensNative gardensCoastal gardensLow-water borders

Companion Plants

Correa reflexa Anigozanthos flavidus Westringia fruticosa

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Lavender Grevillea questions

What zones can Lavender Grevillea grow in?

Lavender Grevillea is hardy in USDA Zones 9–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

When does Lavender Grevillea bloom?

Lavender Grevillea typically blooms in late winter through summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Lavender Grevillea need full sun?

Lavender Grevillea does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Lavender Grevillea drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Lavender Grevillea handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.