shrub

Grass-leaf hakea, Grass-leaved hakea

Hakea multilineata

The Story

Plant Bio

Hakea multilineata, the grass-leaf hakea, is an upright, branched evergreen shrub native to the semi-arid and temperate regions of southwest Western Australia. It develops an open, spreading habit, producing thick, linear leaves characterised by prominent parallel veins running along their length.

Unlike many of its congeners, this species lacks sharp, pungent leaf tips, making it safer for high-traffic garden areas. The bright pink to reddish-pink flowers are arranged in dense axillary racemes up to 70 millimetres long, clustering along the stems to create highly visible winter and spring displays.

Uses & Benefits:

Produces striking, bright pink flower spikes along the inner branches, contrasted against long, parallel-veined green leaves.

Functions as an effective windbreak or screen in dry, coastal, or low-humidity climates.

Provides a rich source of nectar for native honeyeaters and insects, while cockatoos feed on the seeds within the woody fruit.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

196 inches

Width

196 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

8, 9, 10

Water

Low

Humidity

Low

Lifespan

Moderate

Native To

Western Australia

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Bloom period

Winter – Spring

In flower about 4 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a site in full sun with excellent subsurface drainage, such as a raised garden bed or a sloped gravelly loam.
Dig a planting hole twice the width of the root ball but of equal depth, avoiding any soil amendments.
Gently backfill with native soil, firming it lightly around the base without burying the collar.
Water in thoroughly to settle the soil, then apply a low-phosphorus, slow-release native fertiliser sparingly.

Pro Tip

Plant only in exceptionally free-draining sandy or gravelly soils, as this species lacks a lignotuber and will collapse rapidly if subjected to waterlogging or high summer humidity.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Prune lightly immediately after flowering to maintain a bushy, compact shape.
Ensure the planting site has unimpeded drainage to prevent root rot.
Use low-phosphorus native fertilisers to protect the sensitive proteoid roots.

Don't

Never prune hard into old, leafless wood, as the plant lacks a lignotuber and cannot reshoot.
Do not overwater during humid summer months, which triggers sudden root collapse.
Avoid using standard garden fertilisers containing high levels of soluble phosphorus.

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

Specimen plantingWindbreaks and screensBird-attracting gardensLow-water or xeriscape designs

Companion Plants

Banksia ashbyi Grevillea 'Robyn Gordon'Anigozanthos flavidus

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Grass-leaf hakea, Grass-leaved hakea questions

What zones can Grass-leaf hakea, Grass-leaved hakea grow in?

Grass-leaf hakea, Grass-leaved hakea is hardy in USDA Zones 8–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

When does Grass-leaf hakea, Grass-leaved hakea bloom?

Grass-leaf hakea, Grass-leaved hakea typically blooms in winter through spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Grass-leaf hakea, Grass-leaved hakea need full sun?

Grass-leaf hakea, Grass-leaved hakea does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Grass-leaf hakea, Grass-leaved hakea drought tolerant?

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