Species

Leptospermum scopariumManuka, Tea-tree, New Zealand Tea-tree

shrub

New Zealand Tea Tree, Ruby Glow Manuka, Tea Tree

The Story

Plant Bio

Leptospermum scoparium, the New Zealand tea tree, is an upright, densely branched evergreen shrub native to New Zealand and southeastern Australia. The species features small, narrow, needle-like aromatic leaves and produces solitary, saucer-shaped flowers along its twiggy, broom-like stems.

'Ruby Glow' is a horticultural cultivar distinguished by its fully double, rose-like flowers in a rich ruby-red to deep rose-red colour. The fine-textured dark green foliage frequently takes on a coppery-bronze or purplish tint, which intensifies during cool winter weather.

Uses & Benefits:

Produces a dense display of double ruby-red flowers against dark bronze-tinted foliage.

Provides a wind-resistant screen or hedge suitable for coastal environments.

Attracts native bees, beneficial insects, and nectar-feeding birds to the garden.

SpeciesLeptospermum scopariumManuka, Tea-tree, New Zealand Tea-tree

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

96 inches

Width

96 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

9, 10

Water

Low to Moderate

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

10-20 years

Native To

New Zealand & Eastern Australia (Species)

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Bloom period

Late winter – Spring

In flower about 3 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting site in full sun with highly permeable, acidic to neutral sandy or loamy soil.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and of equal depth, ensuring the plant sits level with the surrounding soil surface.
Water the young plant thoroughly upon planting and maintain consistent soil moisture during its initial establishment phase.
Apply a thin layer of organic mulch around the root zone, keeping it clear of the main stem to prevent collar rot.

Pro Tip

Prune the plant annually immediately after flowering finishes, cutting only into the active green foliage zone; pruning back into old, bare wood will kill the branch as this cultivar lacks dormant buds on mature wood.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Prune the plant annually immediately after flowering to maintain a dense, compact habit.
Ensure the soil drains rapidly to prevent waterlogging and root rot pathogens.
Provide good air circulation around the foliage, especially in humid coastal zones.

Don't

Do not prune back into old, bare, leafless wood, as the plant will fail to reshoot.
Do not allow the plant to sit in standing water or poorly drained, heavy clay soils.
Do not apply heavy doses of high-phosphorus fertilisers.

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

Coastal GardenScreeningHedgeSpecimen PlantWindbreak

Companion Plants

Westringia fruticosa Correa alba Anigozanthos flavidus

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

New Zealand Tea Tree, Ruby Glow Manuka, Tea Tree questions

What zones can New Zealand Tea Tree, Ruby Glow Manuka, Tea Tree grow in?

New Zealand Tea Tree, Ruby Glow Manuka, Tea 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 New Zealand Tea Tree, Ruby Glow Manuka, Tea Tree bloom?

New Zealand Tea Tree, Ruby Glow Manuka, Tea Tree typically blooms in late winter through spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does New Zealand Tea Tree, Ruby Glow Manuka, Tea Tree need full sun?

New Zealand Tea Tree, Ruby Glow Manuka, Tea Tree does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is New Zealand Tea Tree, Ruby Glow Manuka, Tea Tree drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), New Zealand Tea Tree, Ruby Glow Manuka, Tea Tree handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.