3 named cultivars

shrub

New Zealand Tea Tree

The Story

Plant Bio

Leptospermum scoparium, the New Zealand tea tree, is an upright evergreen shrub or small tree reaching six to sixteen feet in height, featuring dense, fine-textured branching and small, stiff, needle-like leaves with sharp tips. The solitary, five-petaled flowers smother the stems in spring and early summer, followed by small, woody seed capsules.

The wild species produces white flowers, though cultivated forms offer pink or deep red blooms and occasionally bronze-tinted new foliage. The foliage contains aromatic oils, and the plant exhibits excellent tolerance to coastal salt spray and sandy, nutrient-poor soils.

Uses & Benefits:

Provides a dense, fine-textured evergreen screen smothered in delicate white, pink, or red flowers.

Highly effective for coastal windbreaks and erosion control due to its excellent salt and wind tolerance.

Attracts and supports native bees, beneficial insects, and hummingbirds with its nectar-rich blooms.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

197"

Width

118"

Light

Full Sun

Zones

8, 9, 10

Water

Low to Moderate

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

10 to 20 years

Native To

Oceania (New Zealand and southeastern Australia)

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting site in full sun with highly draining, acidic to neutral soil.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper, ensuring the crown sits level with the surrounding soil.
Water thoroughly to settle the soil, and apply a light layer of organic mulch, keeping it clear of the main stem.
Irrigate regularly during the first growing season to establish a deep root system, then reduce watering.

Pro Tip

Prune only the soft green tips immediately after flowering; cutting back into old, leafless wood prevents new buds from shooting and can kill the branch.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Prune lightly immediately after flowering to maintain a dense, compact shape.
Use a low-phosphorus fertilizer formulated for native plants if feeding is necessary.
Ensure excellent soil drainage to prevent root rot.

Don't

Do not prune hard into old, bare wood, as it will not regenerate.
Do not allow the soil to become waterlogged or soggy.
Do not apply standard high-phosphorus fertilizers.

Seasonal Care Calendar

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

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Coastal GardenHedgeScreeningSpecimen PlantWindbreak

Companion Plants

Ceanothus thyrsiflorus Arctostaphylos densiflora Salvia apiana

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

New Zealand Tea Tree questions

What zones can New Zealand Tea Tree grow in?

New Zealand Tea Tree 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.

Is New Zealand Tea Tree deer resistant?

Not reliably. Deer may browse New Zealand Tea Tree, especially tender spring growth — plan on repellents or fencing where pressure is high.

When does New Zealand Tea Tree bloom?

New Zealand Tea Tree typically blooms in spring through early summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does New Zealand Tea Tree need full sun?

New Zealand Tea Tree does best in full sun (6+ hours).

Is New Zealand Tea Tree drought tolerant?

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