tree

Weeping Lilly Pilly

Waterhousea floribunda

The Story

Plant Bio

Waterhousea floribunda is an evergreen tree native to eastern Australian riverbanks, developing a dense, weeping canopy of glossy green leaves with wavy margins. Small, creamy-white flowers cluster in terminal panicles during spring and summer, followed by pale greenish-pink berries.

The new foliage flushes with soft pink, bronze, and reddish tones before maturing to a deep green. In cultivation, it functions as a dense, elegant hedge or specimen tree that remains significantly smaller than its wild rainforest counterparts.

Uses & Benefits:

Ornamental UsesFeatures a graceful weeping habit, glossy foliage, and striking pink-to-bronze new growth flushes.
Practical UsesFunctions as an excellent, fast-growing privacy screen or windbreak in frost-free climates.
Ecological BenefitsProvides nesting sites for birds and supports generalist pollinators with nectar-rich summer blooms.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Tree

Height

591"

Width

394"

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

9, 10

Water

Moderate to high

Humidity

High

Lifespan

Long-lived

Native To

Eastern Australia

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Planting

How to Grow

  1. Select a planting site in full sun to partial shade with moist, loamy, or sandy loam soil.
  2. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and plant at the same depth as the nursery container.
  3. Water deeply and regularly during the first two growing seasons to establish a deep root system.
  4. Apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer once annually in early spring to support new growth flushes.

Pro Tip

Provide consistent moisture during the establishment period, as this riverine species cannot tolerate dry soil when young. When pruning to maintain a hedge, avoid cutting back into old, leafless wood, which fails to regenerate reliably.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

  • Water regularly during extended dry summer spells.
  • Tip-prune once or twice a year to maintain a dense, bushy habit.
  • Protect young plants from frost and harsh, drying coastal winds.

Don't

  • Do not prune aggressively into old, bare, leafless wood.
  • Do not allow the soil to dry out completely during the establishment phase.
  • Do not plant in heavy, poorly draining soils that lack periodic drying, as stagnant moisture triggers root rot.

Seasonal Care Calendar

TaskJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Fertilize
Mulch
Pest Check
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Privacy ScreenHedgeSpecimen TreeRain GardenWindbreak

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Weeping Lilly Pilly questions

What zones can Weeping Lilly Pilly grow in?

Weeping Lilly Pilly 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.

Is Weeping Lilly Pilly deer resistant?

Not reliably. Deer may browse Weeping Lilly Pilly, especially tender spring growth — plan on repellents or fencing where pressure is high.

When does Weeping Lilly Pilly bloom?

Weeping Lilly Pilly typically blooms in spring through summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Weeping Lilly Pilly need full sun?

Weeping Lilly Pilly does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Keep exploring

Explore the genus

Hardy in your zone?

Grow Weeping Lilly Pilly with confidence

See it in a design of your actual yard, get zone-matched care reminders, and track it season by season in your garden journal.