shrub

Spider Grevillea

Grevillea thelemanniana

The Story

Plant Bio

Grevillea thelemanniana, the spider grevillea, is a low-growing, spreading evergreen shrub native to coastal Western Australia that reaches one to four feet in height. The fine, deeply divided gray-green foliage provides a soft texture, while pendent clusters of bright red, nectar-rich flowers with long, prominent styles emerge primarily from winter through spring.

This species is distinguished by its sprawling, mound-forming habit that can spread up to ten feet wide, making it an effective groundcover for dry slopes. The narrow, silky-hairy leaf lobes and bright red, curved blossoms are highly attractive to hummingbirds in Mediterranean-climate gardens.

Uses & Benefits:

Offers fine-textured, gray-green foliage year-round and unique, bright red pendent flowers through winter and spring.

Serves as an excellent drought-tolerant groundcover for stabilizing dry, sandy slopes and coastal banks.

Provides a critical winter nectar source for hummingbirds and beneficial insects when other plants are dormant.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

40"

Width

118"

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

9, 10

Water

Low

Humidity

Low to Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Australia

Toxicity

Skin Irritant

Bloom period

Winter – Spring

In flower about 6 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting site in full sun with sandy, gravelly, or light granitic soil that drains rapidly.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper, ensuring the crown sits slightly above the surrounding soil level.
Water the young plant deeply once or twice a week during its first summer to establish the root system.
Apply a light layer of organic mulch around the base, keeping it several inches away from the main stem to prevent rot.

Pro Tip

Plant in exceptionally well-drained, sandy soil and avoid all phosphorus-based fertilizers, which cause rapid root toxicity and death.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Prune lightly immediately after the spring flowering flush to maintain a dense, compact shape.
Use only specialized, low-phosphorus fertilizers formulated for native Australian plants if nutrient deficiencies appear.
Ensure absolute soil drainage to prevent fatal root rot.

Don't

Do not prune hard into old, leafless wood, as the plant will fail to regenerate from bare stems.
Do not plant in heavy clay soils or low spots where water collects after rain.
Do not use standard commercial fertilizers containing phosphorus.

Seasonal Care Calendar

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

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Rock gardensCoastal gardensBank stabilizationGroundcoverMediterranean gardens

Companion Plants

Westringia fruticosa Rosmarinus officinalis Salvia apiana Ceanothus maritimus

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Spider Grevillea questions

What zones can Spider Grevillea grow in?

Spider 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.

Is Spider Grevillea deer resistant?

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

When does Spider Grevillea bloom?

Spider Grevillea 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 Spider Grevillea need full sun?

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

Is Spider Grevillea drought tolerant?

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