Backhousia myrtifolia
shrub

Cinnamon Myrtle, Grey Myrtle, Native Myrtle, Scrub Myrtle, Carrol, Ironwood, Lance Wood, Black Myrtle, Never Break, Native Cinnamon, Bubblegum Tree

Backhousia myrtifolia

The Story

Plant Bio

Backhousia myrtifolia, the cinnamon myrtle, is an evergreen Australian shrub or small tree reaching eight to twenty feet in cultivation, featuring a dense, leafy canopy and flaking bark on mature trunks. The simple, opposite leaves are leathery and release a distinct cinnamon or bubblegum scent when crushed.

In late spring and summer, the foliage is topped by terminal clusters of cream-white flowers with prominent, six-millimetre stamens and persistent sepals. The species is highly adaptable, tolerating full sun to deep shade while providing nesting habitat for small native birds like pardalotes.

Uses & Benefits:

Ornamental UsesDense, glossy evergreen foliage and masses of cream-white summer flowers make it an excellent screen or specimen tree.
Practical UsesThe edible, cinnamon-scented leaves are harvested as a bushfood spice and herbal tea ingredient.
Ecological BenefitsProvides essential nesting habitat and shelter for small native birds like pardalotes, while flowers attract native bees.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

240 inches

Width

100 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade

Zones

9, 10

Water

Moderate

Humidity

High

Lifespan

Long-lived

Native To

Eastern Australia

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Bloom period

Late spring – Summer

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

In flower about 3 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

  1. Select a site in full sun to partial shade with well-drained, organic-rich sandy loam.
  2. Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball and backfill, ensuring the plant sits at its original soil level.
  3. Water deeply immediately after planting and maintain consistent soil moisture throughout the first year.
  4. Apply a thick layer of organic mulch around the base, keeping it clear of the main trunk to prevent rot.

Pro Tip

Water young plants consistently during their first summer to prevent root-drying; established drought tolerance only develops once the root system is fully mature.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

  • Mulch annually with organic compost to retain soil moisture.
  • Prune lightly after the summer flowering to maintain a dense, compact shape.
  • Apply a balanced, low-phosphorus native fertiliser in late spring.

Don't

  • Do not prune heavily into old, leafless wood as epicormic regrowth is slow.
  • Do not allow young plants to dry out completely during their first summer.
  • Do not plant in poorly drained, heavy clay soils where water pools.

Seasonal Care Calendar

TaskJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Fertilize
Mulch
Pest Check
Propagate
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Hedge or privacy screenUnderstory plantingBird-attracting gardenBushfood gardenRiparian restoration

Companion Plants

Melaleuca alternifoliaSyzygium luehmanniiDoryanthes excelsaAustromyrtus dulcis

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Cinnamon Myrtle, Grey Myrtle, Native Myrtle, Scrub Myrtle, Carrol, Ironwood, Lance Wood, Black Myrtle, Never Break, Native Cinnamon, Bubblegum Tree questions

What zones can Cinnamon Myrtle, Grey Myrtle, Native Myrtle, Scrub Myrtle, Carrol, Ironwood, Lance Wood, Black Myrtle, Never Break, Native Cinnamon, Bubblegum Tree grow in?

Cinnamon Myrtle, Grey Myrtle, Native Myrtle, Scrub Myrtle, Carrol, Ironwood, Lance Wood, Black Myrtle, Never Break, Native Cinnamon, Bubblegum Tree 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 Cinnamon Myrtle, Grey Myrtle, Native Myrtle, Scrub Myrtle, Carrol, Ironwood, Lance Wood, Black Myrtle, Never Break, Native Cinnamon, Bubblegum Tree bloom?

Cinnamon Myrtle, Grey Myrtle, Native Myrtle, Scrub Myrtle, Carrol, Ironwood, Lance Wood, Black Myrtle, Never Break, Native Cinnamon, Bubblegum Tree typically blooms in late spring through summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Cinnamon Myrtle, Grey Myrtle, Native Myrtle, Scrub Myrtle, Carrol, Ironwood, Lance Wood, Black Myrtle, Never Break, Native Cinnamon, Bubblegum Tree need full sun?

Cinnamon Myrtle, Grey Myrtle, Native Myrtle, Scrub Myrtle, Carrol, Ironwood, Lance Wood, Black Myrtle, Never Break, Native Cinnamon, Bubblegum Tree does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Cinnamon Myrtle, Grey Myrtle, Native Myrtle, Scrub Myrtle, Carrol, Ironwood, Lance Wood, Black Myrtle, Never Break, Native Cinnamon, Bubblegum Tree drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Cinnamon Myrtle, Grey Myrtle, Native Myrtle, Scrub Myrtle, Carrol, Ironwood, Lance Wood, Black Myrtle, Never Break, Native Cinnamon, Bubblegum Tree handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.

More Backhousia to compare

Lemon Myrtle, Lemon Ironwood, Sweet Verbena Tree

Lemon Myrtle, Lemon Ironwood, Sweet Verbena Tree

Backhousia citriodora

Zones 9–10· 3 saves

Keep exploring

Explore the genus

Hardy in your zone?

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