Species

Corymbia ficifoliaRed Flowering Gum

3 other cultivars

tree

Red-flowering Gum

Corymbia ficifolia 'Fairy Floss'

The Story

Plant Bio

Corymbia ficifolia, formerly classified under Eucalyptus, is a small to medium evergreen tree native to a restricted coastal strip of southwestern Western Australia. It produces dense, rounded canopies of dark green, leathery leaves and terminal clusters of bright, filament-heavy flowers that completely obscure the foliage during summer.

'Fairy Floss' is a compact, dwarf cultivar grafted onto hardy rootstock to guarantee a restricted height of fifteen to twenty feet and a dense, rounded habit. Unlike the vibrant red of the parent species, this selection bears soft, pale pastel pink blossoms in dense, flat-topped corymbs at the branch tips.

Uses & Benefits:

Produces a dense canopy of dark green foliage with coppery-bronze new growth, topped by soft pink flower clusters in summer.

Serves as a compact, wind-resistant windbreak or specimen tree highly tolerant of coastal salt spray.

Provides abundant nectar for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds during the summer blooming period.

SpeciesCorymbia ficifoliaRed Flowering Gum

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Tree

Height

275"

Width

157"

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

9, 10

Water

Low

Humidity

Low

Lifespan

Long-lived

Native To

Australia

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Bloom period

Summer

In flower about 3 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting site in full sun with highly permeable, well-drained soil to prevent root rot.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper, ensuring the graft union remains well above the soil line.
Water deeply during the first growing season to establish a deep root system, allowing the soil to dry between waterings.
Apply a thick layer of organic mulch around the root zone, keeping it several inches away from the trunk to prevent rot.

Pro Tip

Prune lightly immediately after summer flowering to remove spent flower heads before heavy woody capsules form; cutting back into old, leafless brown wood prevents the stem from reshooting.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Water deeply but infrequently once established to encourage deep root growth.
Prune immediately after flowering to prevent heavy seed capsules from weighing down branches.
Use low-phosphorus native plant fertilizers to avoid toxicity.

Don't

Do not prune hard into old, leafless wood as it will not regenerate.
Do not plant in poorly drained clay soils or low-lying areas prone to standing water.
Do not over-fertilize with standard phosphorus-rich garden 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

Specimen TreeCoastal GardenStreet TreeCourtyard Feature

Companion Plants

Salvia apiana Ceanothus thyrsiflorus Arctostaphylos densiflora

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Red-flowering Gum questions

What zones can Red-flowering Gum grow in?

Red-flowering Gum 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 Red-flowering Gum deer resistant?

Not reliably. Deer may browse Red-flowering Gum, especially tender spring growth — plan on repellents or fencing where pressure is high.

When does Red-flowering Gum bloom?

Red-flowering Gum typically blooms in summer through summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Red-flowering Gum need full sun?

Red-flowering Gum does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Red-flowering Gum drought tolerant?

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